Chef James Martin to co-present ITV’s This Morning
Martin presented Saturday Kitchen for ten years, but also run the now-closed Leeds Kitchen in the Alea Casino in Leeds, previously run a restaurant at The Talbot Hotel in North Yorkshire, and in 2013 opened a Manchester branch of his eponymous brand, James Martin Manchester. He also joined Virgin Trains as executive chef in April this year.
The chef has presented This Morning twice before, most recently stepping in alongside regular co-presenter Holly Willoughby – although some viewers branded his performance ‘awkward’ on social media.
He will now be joined by co-presenter Anita Rani, who is new to the ITV show, but best known for her presenting on Countryfile and her part in Strictly Come Dancing last year.
The first TV show with Martin and Rani will take place on Friday 22 July at 10:30am, and is set to include snippets on seasonal vegetables – including summer tomatoes ‒ and a showcase of Martin’s own vegetable patch.
Commenting on the new appointment in an ITV statement, Martin said: “It’s such a privilege to be asked back to do it again, I have a great time there.”
Rani said: “I’ll use the opportunity to pick James Martin’s brilliant cooking brain for top tips and get misty-eyed over [his home county of] Yorkshire with him. Roll on Friday!”
This Morning’s editor, Martin Frizell said: “James and Anita are both brilliant hosts in their own right and certainly have the skills suited for the varied and fast-paced nature of This Morning.”
