James Martin has presented on Saturday morning television for over two decades but says his mum has one blunt criticism whenever he appears on screens
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James Martin says his mum is often critical of his outfit choices(Image: ITV)
James Martin is often on the end of blunt criticism from his mum. The 53-year-old has been a regular face on television screens since the 1990s.
His Saturday Morning show is even set for a new slot on ITV One next year as viewing figures continue to grow. The show, which began in 2017, will be extended until midday from January, reports the Mirror.
And while James has seen his audience share increase by around 8%, it seems his mum is often critical about one part of the programme. The Yorkshireman says his mum Sue often slams his outfit choices.
Speaking to IrelandLive, he said: “Usually my mum phones me up and says, ‘That shirt looks s*** – you can’t wear that again’. That’s usually the comment I get on Saturday Morning – ‘What the bloody hell are you wearing that shirt for?’ That’ll be the one, after all these years.”
James says his mum often sends him critiques of his look on screen. He explained she often says his hair “looks a mess” and asks if he had a night on the town before recording.
The chef however jokes that it “keeps him grounded”. James has now been on Saturday morning television for over two decades, first on Saturday Kitchen on the BBC before making the jump to ITV in 2017.
James has previously revealed that the desire to pursue his own projects was part of the reason for the switch.
Speaking at the Love Food show, James explained that ITV bosses ask what type of shows he wants to front.
Discussing his TV career, James said: “Television, I got dragged into it with the Hotel du Vin and I got dragged into it even more with the BBC and I think, having a reset, and by leaving that and resetting and going to ITV.
“ITV were the first people in 30 years who said, ‘What do you want to do?’ And that’s when I sat in a meeting and said, ‘Look, I’d love to go back to where I used to work in France’.”
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James launched his illustrious career at Hotel Du Vin, where he became head chef at just 22 years old, a role that paved the way for his television debut on Ready Steady Cook and The Big Breakfast.
Before joining the Winchester establishment, he refined his culinary skills at Hostellerie De Plaisance in Saint-Émilion, France.
MAFS and Celebs Go Dating star, Ella Morgan, speaks to new! about her regrets on her on-screen marriage with JJ Slater and what needs to change on reality shows
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Ella Morgan share regrets over Katie Prices’ boyfriend JJ Slater(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)
She made history when she became the first ever trans bride on Married At First Sight UK two years ago. But for Ella Morgan it was her antics on the show and an affair with a groom she hadn’t married – JJ Slater – that ensured all eyes were on her. Sadly the relationship didn’t last and JJ moved on with Katie Price while Ella went on to appear on Celebs Go Dating and win over a whole new army of fans. She spoke to new about romance, MAFS grooms she’s like to be matched with and representation on reality shows.
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What did you think of this season of MAFS?
I will always say my season was the best – but this is probably one of the most chaotic seasons and I do love and live for the drama. As much as I love dating shows, without the drama I wouldn’t watch it. I couldn’t just watch the happy people that are compatible and fall in love. That would be boring!
Does the show edit people to make them look bad?
People need to stop blaming the edits. A lot of this season, they’re just not taking any accountability, and blame the edits. You’ve gone on to a TV show, you clearly knew that you were going to get some backlash, so why would you act like an idiot? Says me, the one who committed adultery on her season.. You’re stuck in this MAFS bubble, which does take over your life, and then there’s someone there who is naturally more your type, like JJ was, it is very easy to want to jump ship. I know who I would have married if I’d done this season…
And who’s that?
Looks-wise, Stephen [Nolson]. Personality-wise Ash [Dommett], who is also very handsome.
Do you still talk to anyone from your season?
I rarely talk to any of them. They were all very supportive of me when I was on the show, but when the Supreme Court ruling came out in April and excluded trans women from what legally defines a woman, none of them said anything to support me. People turn a blind eye when they think it doesn’t affect them but we live in a world where we do need to start taking accountability for educating ourselves, and not relying on everyone else to do it for us.
What do you think about LGBTQ representation on the show?
I feel a sense of responsibility when it comes to queer representation on the show. I’m the only trans person and when I have the whole affair with JJ, I let a lot of people down, especially in my own community, but I now, when I film things, always think about the fact that I don’t want to let my community down.
What needs to change on reality shows?
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I always champion the LGBT couples to show that we can have long-lasting loving relationships, and that we’re not all the toxic couples that sometimes have been portrayed on TV before. Most of the people that watch the show have probably never met someone trans or seen someone trans on TV, because there’s not enough representation of queer people, especially the trans community.
What do you think of trans representation on reality TV?
Kerry Katona shared her heartache for Sir David and Lady Victoria Beckham as one family member was noticeably absent from the football star’s investiture and knighthood celebrations
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Kerry Katona shares her heartache for David and Victoria Beckham
Kerry Katona has shared her devastation for David and Victoria Beckham after the football star’s knighthood was snubbed by a family member. Sir David and Lady Victoria’s heartbreaking, months-long feud with their son Brooklyn has been apparent for months.
The couple’s eldest son Brooklyn, 26, has failed to show up for – or even publicly acknowledge – all of the big milestone events and celebrations the Beckham clan have enjoyed this year including David’s 50th birthday celebrations and Victoria’s Netflix documentary release. In the latest heartbreaking turn of events, Brooklyn was a no-show when his dad was knighted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle this week.
The rest of the family – including Victoria, Cruz, Romeo, Harper and David’s parents David and Sandra – all showed up in a full force to witness the momentous occasion. Not only were Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz not present, but they failed to make any mention of David’s huge achievement on social media – despite it being the biggest story of the day, so it was very hard to miss.
Now, celebrity mum Kerry Katona, who has children Molly, Lilly-Sue, Maxwell, Dylan-Jorge and Heidi, has shared her heartache for the couple, and especially Victoria as a mother.
Writing in her exclusive column with new! magazine, Kerry said: “It was about time that David Beckham got his knighthood. But Brooklyn wasn’t at the ceremony. If that was one of my children, I’d be devastated.
“That moment is something Brooklyn’s never going to get back. Your parents aren’t here forever. I’ve had the most rocky relationship with my mum but I’ll pop in and see her [once] every blue moon – I’ve not abandoned her.
“I’ve met David and Victoria, actually. Victoria sent me some flowers when Brian McFadden left and I met David at a Spice Girls concert. They were lovely. Victoria’s one of the nicest celebrities that I’ve met.”
It comes as Brooklyn broke his cover days after his dad’s investiture ceremony at Windsor Palace, where he was awarded his knighthood.
Revealing what he got up to instead of celebrating with his family, in a post shared on the Instagram page for his hot sauce company Cloud 23, Brooklyn was seen wearing a grey hoodie with black jeans and a black cap as he strolled through the streets of New York.
Set to the music of Best Of My Love by The Emotions, the video saw Brooklyn pull two bottles of hot sauce out of his back pocket. Over the top of the video, it read: “The vibe Brooklyn brings to the function.”
Fans jumped in the comments of the post to criticise Brooklyn for failing to congratulate David on his achievement. One wrote: “Your dad just got a knighthood, he sure brought the vibes!” Another simply said: “Congratulate your dad.” A third said: “But couldn’t be a**** to turn up at his dad’s knighthood.”
Rumours of a rift between Brooklyn and his family started earlier this year. He and Nicola have not been seen with his parents since Christmas last year and stopped interacting with them on social media. Brooklyn and his brothers also no longer follow each other.
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The speculation intensified when Brooklyn and Nicola had a vow renewal and only had her family present. Some have suggested that the feud began after Nicola refused to wear a wedding dress designed by Victoria at her 2022 wedding.
According to sources, it continues, despite Victoria and David’s attempts at olive branches, because Nicola does not want to make peace. “Nicola’s not ready to make nice,” the source revealed.
Peter Andre, who is a proud dad to Junior, Princess, Amelia, Theo and Arabella, has candidly admitted to feeling ‘scared’ after his daughter, Amelia, took on a huge challenge
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Peter Andre with wife Emily and their children Amelia, Theo and Arabella
Peter Andre has candidly admitted to feeling scared as he and his wife Emily were met with a huge parenting first for them both.
The singer, 52, is a proud dad to Junior, 20, Princess, 18, Amelia, 11, Theo, eight, and Arabella, one. Pete, his wife Emily, 36, and the children recently jetted off on a family trip to Cyprus. But as Pete and Emily shared photos of their sweet trip, some fans noticed one member of their family was missing; daughter Amelia.
Now, in his exclusive column with new! magazine, Peter has revealed what Amelia was up to while the rest of the family were on holiday.
He revealed: “Some people noticed that our daughter Amelia wasn’t there on this trip and that’s because she was doing something incredible. She was on a pilgrimage with Emily’s mum – so with her grandma – and they did the Pyrenees, which was absolutely amazing. She walked about 80 km in four days, she said it was the most incredible experience.
“So it’s the first time she hasn’t come away with us but she was with her grandma doing a pilgrimage which I thought was wonderful so go on Mills – what a wonderful experience that she had!”
Pete then revealed he had mixed emotions as while he felt proud of her, letting her go on the trek was, understandably, scary for him.
“It was very scary for us, you know, it’s very scary as a parent – obviously we knew that she’s with Emily’s mum, who is a paediatrician, she’s a doctor so having a doctor on hand is always great, but it is always scary and because she wasn’t with us for the first… it was just really, really, really, scary, but it was wonderful to know that she was achieving so much, we’re very proud.”
It comes after Peter set a strict rule with his wife Emily over their youngest children after his daughter Princess’ career success.
Peter has been supportive of Princess and Junior, who he shares with ex wife Katie Price, at glitzy events as they embark on their own careers. Meanwhile Princess has come into her own this year with her reality TV show, The Princess Diaries, and her makeup brand, which she is currently building. Princess’ brother Junior has enjoyed success in his own right as he’s been busy working on his music and social media, though he recently revealed he would be taking a break from the former.
But, Peter and Emily have decided on a different set of rules for their younger children. While Princess and Junior had already been on red carpets, Loose Women and charity balls throughout their childhood, the same won’t happen to Amelia, Theo and Arabella. When asked if they would bring their youngest to the Pride of Britain, Emily told us: “We have talked about that!”
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Peter added: “Amelia asked today. She said, ‘will I be able to come with you?’ I said, maybe when you are 16.” Emily agreed as she explained: “She’s at secondary school now, I think maybe when she’s 16.”
Despite the pair laying down new ground rules for their young kids, Peter and Emily are both proud of what Princess and Junior have achieved already.
A royal expert says that while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pursue different goals, there’s a growing divide between them and the rest of Harry’s family
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As Prince Harry visited to Canada in the lead-up to Remembrance Day, news broke of Meghan Markle’s Hollywood comeback(Image: Getty Images)
With an awkward royal diary clash and the announcement of Meghan Markle ’s Hollywood comeback, the rift between the Sussexes and the royal family could not have looked more glaring. Last week Prince Harry risked overshadowing his brother by embarking on his own high-profile foreign trip, just as Prince William was visiting Brazil for his much-anticipated Earthshot Prize and to represent the King at the COP30 climate change summit.
The timing could hardly have been worse, with photos of the Duke of Sussex posing with soldiers in Canada emerging as William was giving his keynote speech at the eco conference. As if that wasn’t enough, Harry’s wife Meghan then stole headlines from both of them, after it was announced that she’s to make her acting comeback with a role in a big-budget Hollywood movie.
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The former Suits actress, who quit acting when she became a member of the royal family, has landed a part in upcoming blockbuster Close Personal Friends, co-starring Emily In Paris actress Lily Collins and Marvel regular Brie Larson.
While movie insiders are said to have been “sworn to secrecy” over the specifics of her role, it’s been reported that Meghan will play herself and sees the part as a “massive moment” that could herald a full-time return to acting after an eight-year hiatus.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claims the week’s events not only show that the feud between the Sussexes and royals is “alive and well”, but also points to a growing divide between Harry and Meghan, with her focus on a Hollywood comeback further proof that a return to the UK isn’t on the cards any time soon.
“Meghan’s decision to appear as herself in a Hollywood comedy film definitely emphasises her shift towards the US,” he tells us. “But Harry still feels very deeply about his homeland and would like to spend more time in the UK. The same cannot be said for Meghan, so there’s a clear divergence in opinions there.
“We also don’t know what will come after this film, but we do know they have Netflix projects to deliver, so this may only be the start for her in Hollywood.”
Last week Harry, who flew to Canada shortly after announcing the trip to mark “the period of Remembrancetide”, which traditionally runs from 1 to 11 November, wrote an essay titled The Bond, The Banter, The Bravery: What It Means To Be British. In it, he described the privilege he felt to have served alongside men and women from all four corners of the UK.
He went on to describe the “banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands” as the “things that make us British”, adding, “I love it.”
The letter, Richard says, is another clear indication of how deeply “self-exiled Harry misses the UK”, while Meghan is laser-focused on building her brand Stateside and will want to distance herself from the turmoil surrounding Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) as much as possible.
“Harry would very much like to see more of his father, especially as he has said publicly he doesn’t know how long he will live for,” says Richard. “It’s also Charles’s birthday very soon, and that will no doubt trigger more feelings of regret for Harry.
“But Meghan is focused on her commercial success. Her brand is currently far enough removed that it shouldn’t be damaged and she will certainly want to keep it that way. The levels of toxicity are such that there is certainly potential for damage to be done.”
Meghan was spotted on the set of the new film last week, with a source telling the US magazine People, “She seemed very relaxed and happy. She introduced herself to everyone and was very sweet and down to earth.”
Last week, Prince Harry’s team strongly dismissed any suggestion of an intentional clash between him and his older brother. They pointed out that the Toronto events were planned “nearly a year ago”, and the duke “can’t choose to move” the dates when Remembrancetide is marked.
But according to royal commentator Richard, the diary clash and inevitable talk of their estrangement have done little to repair frosty relations between the Sussexes and the rest of the family.
“It was outrageous for Earthshot to be overshadowed, first by Harry’s visit, and then by news of Meghan’s film,” he claims. “The feud appears to be alive and well and living, and that any relationship between William and Harry is unfortunately water under the bridge.
“Harry’s relationship with his father is another matter, but I suspect William is not on Harry’s list of priorities any more.”
As the King approaches his 77th birthday on 14 November and continues to be treated for cancer, he is also managing the shocking fallout from the revelations surrounding the relationship between his younger brother Andrew and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Last month he announced he’d begun the formal process of stripping Andrew of his Prince and Duke of York titles as well as his right to live at Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate. Richard says witnessing his father deal with the crisis will be especially hard for California-based Harry, who has only seen the King in person once in almost two years.
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“Harry will feel deeply for his father,” he says. “It’s absolutely hellish for Charles at the moment – the situation is agonising – and of course Harry can see this. On a human level, it will be very difficult for him to witness.”
Charlotte Hawkins has revealed a secret “pain” of being a host on Good Morning Britain, as she prepares to once again present Andre Rieu’s Christmas concert
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Charlotte Hawkins faces ‘tough’ issue on GMB as she shares ‘pain’(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Think of Christmas. There’s tinsel on the tree, twinkling lights in the high street and enough mince pies to feed a small country. For some, the festive season starts as soon as Halloween is over, but for many, it doesn’t begin until you’ve seen Andre Rieu’s Christmas Concert at the cinema, hosted by Charlotte Hawkins.
Charlotte has been working with Andre for many years and is still in awe of his ability to pull together such an amazing concert. “I think he is just a genius at pulling together so many different and special performers and making such a wonderful, huge, massive, magnificent show,” she tells us.
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“His music really has the power to move people and to reach out of the screen. Not only is he iconic, he’s an amazing musician that I’m lucky enough to see in action, and I’m just in awe of him every time I see him.”
During the show, Andre and his performers – reaching nearly 1000 people – will play his pieces along with all the festive favourites, from All I Want For Christmas Is You to O Come All Ye Faithful. It will be recorded from a concert hall in Maastricht, which Charlotte refers to as a “winter wonderland”, and is available to watch in cinemas on 6 and 7 December.
“I always think there’s something really special about actually listening to live Christmas music,” Charlotte explains when asked why she loves getting to host the show for UK audiences. “It really gets you in that festive feel.”
One member of the Hawkins family is already in the festive mood. “My daughter started her Christmas countdown already!” At the time of this discussion, Halloween hadn’t even happened yet. But 10-year-old Ella Rose is more excited by the presents under the tree than chocolate in jack-o-lanterns.
And having a child around makes the holiday even more special. “It’s just so lovely for the families having younger members around, isn’t it? Because they sort of still channel that excitement, that magic.”
“And I try to make sure that we go to as many sort of Christmassy things as possible,” Charlotte adds. Every year, the whole Hawkins clan dives into festive traditions, including their local Christingle service. Held on Christmas Eve, the bleak midwinter night is lit up by the warm glow of candles stuck in oranges, as children and their families sing classic carols.
When surrounded by that kind of fairytale scene, it’s easy to see why Charlotte loves the season so much. “It’s such a magical time of year. There is more of that sense of connection, that sense of community, that sense of coming together.”
Christmas isn’t the only thing Ella Rose gets excited about. She loves hearing about her mother’s job as a presenter on Good Morning Britain, particularly when she gets to head onto set too. From what Charlotte has seen, Ella Rose has the makings of a great journalist in her.
“She just loves it if she gets the opportunity to pop into the newsroom,” Charlotte explains. She recalls a bank holiday a few years ago, when George Ezra was on the show. Knowing her daughter was a superfan of the Budapest singer, she asked if Ella Rose could go in and meet him. The producers had a better idea. “They said, ‘Does she want to ask him some questions?’”
Ella Rose proceeded to do half the interview on TV, aged only eight. “She just took it all in her stride. And she did a brilliant interview and got way more out of him than we did anyway!” It gave her the interviewing bug, and she’d been asking her mum when they’ll get Taylor Swift on the show ever since.
Charlotte adores her job too. “I love being a part of the programme. It really does feel like a family, which is special. It’s such a privilege to wake people up in the morning and get to tell them what’s going on in the world first.”
And Charlotte has been doing it for Good Morning Britain for over a decade. She loves her job, even if she has to wake up at 2.45am to do it. “That’s quite a tough start to the day,” she laughs. “But you all sort of bond together as members of this early risers club because everybody feels the pain.”
Members of the Early Risers Club survive with numerous cups of tea and coffee, and by swapping tips on when to have a nap during the day. Charlotte’s own tip is to wear a bright colour – “If it’s a grey day, if you’re feeling like not quite 100 percent yourself, put something bright on and it kind of changes your outlook.”
Going to bed early is, of course, key, but it’s a little difficult on Wednesdays and Thursdays at the moment. Why? That’s when GMB co-star Kate Garraway is on The Celebrity Traitors. “We’re watching Kate at the moment on Celebrity Traitors. So everyone’s sort of saying, ‘Are you staying up to watch Celebrity Traitors or are you watching it first thing in the morning?’” Charlotte has ended up doing half and half – watching the first bit in the evening and finishing it off on her way into work.
Being such a stalwart of the TV presenting world has led Charlotte to brilliant places, including a film set. In 2015, she appeared in the film Burnt, as a breakfast show host who was interviewing an intense chef, played by Bradley Cooper. That was a career highlight for Charlotte, who grew up dreaming of treading the boards. Though her life went down another route, she enjoyed being able to put her acting skills to use.
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It’s a great example to set for Ella Rose. “I say to my daughter, ‘Never give up on your dreams’. Because even if you go down a different path, you never know where you’ll end up.”
