James Martin's 'weird' confession after deciding against marriage and having children

Wales Online

26-04-2025

James Martin's 'weird' confession after deciding against marriage and having children
James Martin, 52, boasts an impressive collection of cars, thought to be worth around £5 million, and describes them as his 'kids with wheels'
James Martin has spoken out about his huge collection of cars
(Image: ITV )
James Martin admits his £5 million collection is 'weird' as he admits the driving force behind his love of cars.
The 52-year-old chef boasts an impressive collection of iconic and classic cars. Among them is a Subaru Impreza raced by legendary rally driver Colin McRae and a Mini Cooper raced by Paddy Hopkirk and Rauno Aaltonen.
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James has however revealed his Toyota Hilux pickup truck is his favourite to drive. This he says is because he can 'chuck everything' in the 435-litre boot.
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Speaking on the Good Food podcast with Samuel Goldsmith, James explained he sees his cars as 'art'. He said: 'Whether you collect anything, you see something as the Holy Grail, it's that sort of stuff, but the car to me is like an aesthetic moving little bit of art. They're just beautiful things.
'It's weird, I'm not married, I've got no kids, my kids have got four wheels, that's it, you're either into them or you're not. I'm not weirdly into them, so I don't get a deckchair and sit in the middle of a field and talk about pistons and stuff like that, but there's something about them.
James Martin boasts an impressive collection of classic and iconic cars
(Image: ITV )
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'As a kid I used to peer through the window at Jack Barclay Showrooms in London when I was training as a chef thinking, 'One day'.'
James' impressive car collection is reported to contain a Bentley Continental, a Shelby Mustang, a Ferrari 275 GTB, and a Ferrari 288 GTO among others. Although he is said to favour his Hilux and a BMW 760Li for day-to-day use.
James Martin
(Image: ITV )
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In an interview with SL.Man, he said: "I've got a Toyota Hilux pickup truck that I absolutely love – you can chuck everything in it and it will go forever. All my mates take the mick: 'So you've got all these cars, but you drive around in a pick-up truck?'"
James, who is said to be dating personal trainer Kim Johnson, has previously revealed he has no desire to get married. In a frank discussion with Sunday People some years back, he said: '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 grand on a day, no, I'm more than happy thanks."
James Martin's Saturday Morning returns today
(Image: Getty Images )
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The television star, who is surrounded by friends who have children, has spoken of the personal cost that a high octane career comes with. Speaking to Prima magazine in 2020, he admitted: "The biggest low of my career is that I've given up everything for it.
'The level of commitment it requires and the choices you have to make have a huge impact."
James Martin's Saturday Morning returns to TV screens at 9.30am on ITV One today as Julia Bradbury joins the star at his Hampshire home. Lisa Goodwin-Allen and Judy Joo will be serving food while First Dates star Merlin Griffiths will be making cocktails.