2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
TV chef leaves fans gutted as ITV star pulls out of public appearance just days before hitting the stage
The managing director of the food festival has issued a statement following the news
GIVE IT A PASS TV chef leaves fans gutted as ITV star pulls out of public appearance just days before hitting the stage
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A TV chef has left fans gutted as he pulled out of a public appearance, just days before hitting the stage.
James Martin took to social media to share the news, as he issued a statement against a black background.
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A TV chef has left fans gutted as he pulled out of a public appearance, just days before hitting the stage
Credit: Instagram
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James issued a statement to his legion of fans
Credit: Instagram
The 53-year-old penned to his 761,000 Instagram followers: 'I'm so sorry but unfortunately, due to circumstances outside of my control, I will no longer be appearing at the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival.'
He continued: 'Please contact the organisers if you have any questions.'
The comments section were flooded with messages of disappointment, from fans hopeful to see James at the event - but his comments have now been switched off.
The event takes place between July 18 and 20 at Aireville Park in Skipton, and TV favourite James was due to be one of the main draws of the festival.
The popular event didn't take place last year, after first launching in 2016, and so eager fans are looking forward to attending, with music performances from the likes of The Feeling and Go West.
Jon Arrowsmith, managing director of The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival, has since shared a statement with the Yorkshire Post, upon the news that James will not attend.
He said: 'We're absolutely gutted that James has decided not to join us this year, we know how popular he is and understandably his fans will be disappointed by his decision.
'Running festivals is not for the faint-hearted and it certainly has its ups and downs. We've worked hard to rebuild the festival after it collapsed and we knew it would come with its challenges – maybe not as many as we're facing – but we're working through them.
'Please bear with us as we finalise our line-up and hire a replacement chef. But let me reassure everyone, we remain as committed as ever in our promise to deliver a festival Yorkshire will be proud of and one everyone will enjoy.'
'It's difficult' says James Martin as he reveals secret off-camera health battle
James has been a popular face on television screens for a long time, due to his culinary prowess.
Before his popular ITV series, James presented Saturday Kitchen, Home Comforts, James Martin's Great British Adventure, Islands to Highlands and James Martin's French Adventure.
He has also published over 20 best-selling cook books.
James has been through a tough time of late as he faced brutal health battles.
He was first diagnosed with cancer six years ago - but kept it secret from fans.
James underwent surgery but it returned on "several occasions".
In November 2023, James revealed he was taking a break from work after he was diagnosed with facial cancer in 2018.
At the time, he explained: "I was then diagnosed with cancer on my face, and I had to have surgery, which I couldn't do until two days before Christmas when we had finished filming.
'Since then, it has returned on several occasions, and I have to have regular treatments.'
