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James Martin’s girlfriend Kim Johnson has seemingly confirmed her engagement to the TV chef following reports of a Christmas proposal.
The personal trainer, 39, has been dating the culinary whizz, 53, for two years and they now look set to tie the knot despite him previously vowing never to get married.
According to The Sun Kim took to Instagram with a snap of one of James’s latest dishes alongside the caption: ‘So proud of my fiancé’.
The Daily Mail have contacted James Martin’s representatives for comment.
Last month the chef was said to have popped the question before gifting his bride-to-be a £150,000 Land Rover, which was said to have been an engagement present.
The proposal marks a sharp U-turn for James, after he previously insisted that he had no desire to ever tie the knot.
Speaking to the Sunday People in 2019, he said: ‘Marriage 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 and Kim’s romance was first revealed when they were spotted shopping for jewellery at Tiffany’s in Mayfair back in April last year.
And the couple appeared to take the next step in their relationship in October, when she moved into his country home in Hampshire.
His engagement to Kim comes exactly two years after James’s split from long-term girlfriend Louise Davies after 12 years together.
The chef and the TV producer first began dating in 2011 after they met on the set of Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and lived together at his Hampshire pad.
In December 2023, a spokesperson for James confirmed that he and Louise had parted ways, but that they remain good friends.
Meanwhile, Kim was previously married to businessman Arun Nayar, 61, after striking up a romance in 2011, following his divorce from Elizabeth Hurley after four years of marriage.
After five years of dating, Arun and Kim tied the knot in July 2016, but their marriage was short-lived and they divorced the following year.
Last summer, James found himself at the centre of a very public scandal when he was accused of bullying and intimidating behaviour by crew working on his ITV food show.
Reports then emerged of a second incident with ITV, as it was claimed the broadcaster had previously been made aware of James’s conduct following a separate incident in 2018.
Subsequently, James apologised for his behaviour and admitted the turmoil that was going on his personal life.
He opened up about unfortunate events in his life, which began with the death of his grandfather, then followed by a home invasion by masked burglars, and then a shock cancer diagnosis.
Last July, ITV were forced to confirm they had spoken to the star after concerns were raised over the treatment of crew members during the filming of James Martin’s Spanish Adventure in May.
Reports then emerged of a second incident with ITV in 2018, when he launched a foul-mouthed tirade against staff after a drain was blocked at his home during the production of his show, James Martin’s Saturday Morning.
After investigating the matter, ITV chiefs told the programme’s production company Blue Marlin that changes would be made immediately, online news website Deadline reported.
James responded by saying ‘lessons have been learned’ and apologised for ‘acting emotionally’.
Sources at ITV told the Daily Mail that bosses would be taking a ‘close interest in any future filming’ featuring the chef, whose affable demeanour has earned him a huge fan base.
