James Martin, the well-known television chef, appears to be ready to embark on a new journey as he reportedly plans to marry his girlfriend, Kim Johnson. This news comes as a surprise to many, given Martin’s previous statements expressing his reluctance to ever walk down the aisle.

The 53-year-old culinary expert has allegedly asked the big question to Kim, a personal trainer who is 39, after almost two years of dating. To mark this special occasion, he gifted her a stunning new car valued at £150,000.

Though James is typically reserved about his personal affairs, Kim shared a rare peek into their holiday celebrations. The couple was seen enjoying a whimsical ride on the Polar Express, clad in matching festive pajamas, creating a picture-perfect moment.

Kim couldn’t help but express her astonishment on Instagram Stories, revealing the extravagant gift James had given her—a Land Rover Defender. Her delight was evident as she shared her reaction, stating she was completely “gobsmacked” by the surprise.

Accompanying a photo of the sleek new vehicle, Kim expressed her amazement with the caption, “James Martin, I am speechless!!” reflecting the joy and excitement of this memorable occasion.

But according to The Sun, the expensive gift was in fact an engagement present from James, after the Saturday Kitchen star changed his mind about marriage and proposed.

A source told the publication: ‘James and Kim may have been dating for less than two years, but when you know, you know.

‘Of course it’s taken James decades to finally get there and friends do share a wry smile that he’s U-turned on his staunch refusal to ever marry.

‘But everyone has seen the change in him since meeting Kim and he’s never been happier. They are a wonderful couple.’

Daily Mail has contacted representatives for James for comment.

The proposal marks a sharp U-turn for James, after he previously insisted that he had no desire to ever tied 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’ 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. 

Despite their split, Kim’s official Instagram handle is @kimjohnson.pt and her name is still Kim Nayar in her bio. 

She has now set her account as private but had it verified in January after her old account was hacked. 

No doubt James is pleased to have some good fortune in his love life after a period of turbulence in his career and with his health over the past few years.

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’ 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 was 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 reports. 

James responded by saying ‘lessons have been learned’ and apologised for ‘acting emotionally’.

Sources at ITV told the 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. 

Regarding the reports of this being the second outburst James had been accused of, a Blue Marlin spokesperson addressed the first incident. 

They said: ‘An unfortunate incident occurred after filming James Martin’s Saturday Morning in 2018 where James’ home was badly damaged. 

‘Blue Marlin Television accepted responsibility. James was shocked by what had happened and on reflection acknowledges he responded emotionally, which he wholly regrets.

‘James apologises for any offence or upset caused, as he did at the time to the crew involved.’ 

They added: ‘Following this and some issues filming James Martin’s Spanish Adventures, James and Blue Marlin Television agree that lessons have been learned which have been discussed with members of the team and with ITV.

‘Blue Marlin Television and James Martin have taken on board ITV’s recommendations and their sharing of best practice, and are in the process of fully implementing.

‘Since the 2018 incident, Blue Marlin Television has continued to film over 500 shows at James’ home. Blue Marlin Television remains committed to ensuring the welfare of all those with whom they work is of the utmost priority.’

An ITV spokesman said at the time: ‘At ITV people and their welfare are our highest priority. The production companies who make shows for us have primary responsibility for the duty of care of everyone they work with, both on and off screen.

‘We make clear our expectations in this regard as part of our pre-greenlight duty of care processes. This includes having appropriate independent controls in place to enable everyone who works on their shows to confidently and confidentially raise concerns.

‘Following a complaint we received in May from members of the Blue Marlin production team about the filming of James Martin’s Spanish Adventure, we contacted Blue Marlin to discuss these concerns and to understand how the issues raised were being addressed and what actions were being taken.

‘As a result, we made a number of recommendations for Blue Marlin to implement as soon as possible, sharing best practice of some of our own relevant procedures around staff welfare and reiterating our Supplier Code of Conduct.’

Audio footage of his shocked rant was then leaked to The Sun, and in response to the shock outburst, James said that the end of 2017 was ‘one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life’.

In the recording, he swore 42 times and says his staff should be ‘f***ing fried’ and orders them to take their lunch break standing in the ‘f***ing rain’. 

He demanded that his team showed him and his house ‘more f***ing respect’, adding: ‘If not, you’re gone.’ 

Reflecting on the outburst, James admitted that he was dealing with the death of his last living grandparent, his grandfather, and that he could not attend his funeral due to work commitments.

He added that he was burgled by masked men later that month who entered his home while then-partner Louise was at home alone and he was away working.

The TV star also shockingly revealed that he’d been treated multiple times for cancer and he was in a ‘very emotional state’ from all the stress. 

James said that he became ‘extremely upset’ when his home flooded while filming in 2018, claiming the drain blockage caused £30,000 worth of damage. 

He told The Sun: ‘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.’

‘I can only say I am human and following a build-up of personal life pressure, I admit that I overreacted regarding the damage to my home’.

In November last year, James gave fans an update on his health woes and revealed he would be taking a break from his TV career amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

He said at a public appearance: ‘On a personal note, I just wanted to say thank you for 30 years of television.

‘For me personally, I’ve been through a lot of s**t with cancer but I’m getting sorted at the end of next month.

‘I will be back fighting at the end of February but I’m going on a little bit of a break to get that sorted.’