The swirling rumours about James Martin and his stunning PT girlfriend, 39… and why it spells heartache for his loyal ex
WORKAHOLIC TV chef James Martin used to boldly insist marriage “doesn’t interest me in the slightest” – a bullish statement that was surely a kick in the teeth for his then long-time girlfriend Louise Davies.
So it’s no surprise that the 53-year-old’s eyebrow-raising romance with stunning PT Kim Johnson, who is 14 years his junior, has become the talk of TV land, with insiders revealing his astonishing behaviour in recent months could lead to one final, heart-breaking twist for his producer ex.
James Martin with girlfriend Kim Johnson, who pals say has changed his lifeCredit: Getty
The TV chef is more successful than ever before – in both is professional and personal lifeCredit: Rex
A source told us: “It wouldn’t surprise anyone if James finally breaks his no-marriage rule with Kim.
“He’s a changed man now he’s met her. He used to be fiercely private about his love life.
“It will be very hard for Louise – who was with him for 12 years – when Kim gets a huge diamond ring on her finger.”
Those close to the chef have noticed major changes in his life since he hooked up with Kim – who is the ex-wife of actress Elizabeth Hurley‘s millionaire former husband Aarun Nayar – and he’s said to be “happier than ever”.
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The source explained: “There’s been a big shift in his world and things feel different now.
“Kim is glamorous, she has her own job away from James and she has her own money – bucket-loads of it. Louise lived a far more modest lifestyle in comparison.
“James seems happier than ever. He’s more relaxed, less stressed, he’s more sociable, he is enjoying himself. Everyone is saying how Kim saved him after an incredibly tough time in his life and gave him this new lease of life.”
And in a major shift, Kim has given fans an insight into their life by sharing several loved-up pictures with James on social media, describing him as her “favourite person in the world” and “best friend”, having moved into his £3.75 million home with his beloved dogs.
On his birthday in June, she wrote: “I’m so lucky I get to love the guy who can whip up a five-star meal and make my belly hurt with laughing.
“Love you more than bacon – and that’s saying something.”
We can reveal friends have told how this type of gushing public display of affection would’ve been a “total no-go” for James in the past, especially during his 12-year relationship with Louise.
An insider explained: “He’s so in love with Kim. It shows how, despite only dating for a year, Kim is now woven into the very fabric of James’ life and has slotted in perfectly.”
James has been piling on the PDA with Kim this year, and he even took her to the National Television Awards, where she consoled him with a hug after his James Martin’s Saturday Morning show tasted Daytime prize defeat to This Morning.
Like her clients, Kim appears to have James well trained and friends now believe he might break his lifelong no-marriage rule – which could devastate Louise, 48, who lived a very different life with him.
Our insider said: “When he was with Louise, she was happy to remain in the background and they kept their life incredibly private, and she also respected the fact he had no interest in marriage or having kids.
“She never pushed those things on him or tried to persuade him otherwise, accepting that if she was going to be with James then marriage and children were strictly off the table.”
Louise has returned to her life away from the limelight since the split.
James used to be very private but is happy to appear on socials with KimCredit: Instagram
He was with his ex Louise Davies, pictured together in 2013, for 12 years before their split in 2023Credit: Getty
Kim leads a very glamorous lifestyle – and is often snapped on luxury holidaysCredit: Instagram
Louise was with James for 12 years – but he refused to sway from his staunch anti-marriage rule, and even made it clear in public that he would never wed.
They began dating in 2011 after meeting on the set of Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, but last year it emerged they had split at the end of 2023, remaining “firm friends”.
When asked in 2018 if he will ever marry, James insisted: “No, it doesn’t interest me in the slightest. Mainly because I’ve catered for so many weddings, really.
“I admire people who do it, that’s fine, but I’m quite happy. I don’t need to spend £60,000 on a day, no, I’m more than happy, thanks.”
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It’s been a rocky few years for James – who for most of his career avoided any negative headlines.
In July 2023, the chef – who owns a restaurant, four bakery branches, several cafes, and a cookery school – apologised for “any offence or upset caused” after he was accused of “bullying” his ITV colleagues.
A complaint was lodged two months earlier from an employee on his cookery show James Martin’s Spanish Adventure.
He also came under fire after a whistleblower leaked a January 2018 recording of him launching into a foul-mouthed tirade against staff.
It wouldn’t surprise anyone if James finally breaks his no-marriage rule with Kim
It came after a drain was blocked at his house during filming for his show James Martin’s Saturday Morning.
Later, James insisted the end of 2017 had been “one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life” after his grandfather died, a masked gang burgled his house while Louise was home alone, and he was then diagnosed with facial cancer, which left him planning his own funeral.
He has since undergone numerous procedures after the cancer returned on “several occasions”.
Kim shares glimpses of her life with James – showing just how loved-up they areCredit: Instagram
A source revealed glam Kim has her own money – bucket-loads of itCredit: Instagram
Earlier this year, James – who previously dated former James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, 65, for four-and-a-half years until 2008 – said he was feeling “as fit as a fiddle” for the “first time in six years”.
And recent life events do appear to have caught him in a reflective mood.
In 2020, he told Prima magazine: “The biggest low of my career is that I’ve given up everything for it.
“I look at my mates and they’re all married with kids, and that’s not the case for me because I’ve been so focused on work.”
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That career focus is still clearly paying dividends. He has recently been granted a generous new slot as part of ITV’s weekend shake-up, with James Martin’s Saturday Morning now set to air from 9.30am to noon.
Now, whispers are those pay-cheques could, finally, be going towards a rather expensive ring.
Friends think Kim could be The One and say James is noticeably differentCredit: Facebook
Kim was previously married to Liz Hurley’s ex Arun NayarCredit: Getty
