James Martin ‘would sleep in camper van and never stop working' due to fears for future

Chef James Martin Announces first ever live UK tour

James Martin, the celebrity chef and host of ITV's Saturday Morning, has revealed his intense work ethic, including arriving at the This Morning studios at 5am to prepare "every single dish".

The star confessed that he used to sleep in a camper van due to fears about his career ending prematurely, and maintained a rigorous routine for many years.

In a 2021 episode of the Grilling podcast with Simon Rimmer, Martin reminisced about his time working at the BBC Good Food Shows and his early encounters with Rimmer at the NEC.

Despite staying at what Simon described as the "worst hotel in the world", he fondly recalled it as a "properly brilliant time". Rimmer remembered Martin's professionalism and dedication, noting how he would sleep in his camper van.

Rimmer asked Martin about his work ethic, saying: "You've never lost that. You were always known as being the guy that would like... you'd roll up in your camper van, you'd sleep in your camper van at times, and you'd do the show, and you've never stopped working."

Chef James Martin attends the Motor Sport Hall of Fame 2011 in association with TAG Heuer, celebrating and honouring the achievements of motor racing'

He added: "Still now, you still don't. Is that because of a love for it, or is it also... are you slightly insecure that you worry about it ending?"

Martin responded: "Several things... I worry about it ending for sure, not that I'm pressed about it now as much as I was. But I still care more than I did before, if that makes sense?"

"Because when I do This Morning, none of the home economists can understand why I'm in there at five o'clock in the morning. They don't understand."

James also revealed his early arrival time was to prep "every single dish" himself for the former hosts of This Morning, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

Chef and TV personality James Martin prepares to be driven by David Coulthard in an Aston Martin Vanquish S as part of F1 Hotlaps before the Bahrain F

Simon decided to praise James for his dedication in another part of the interview, stating that James could have easily "kicked back a little bit" or "become a little bit arrogant" considering his successful career, but instead chose to demonstrate a solid "work ethos".

In Simon's words, this echoed the timeless Yorkshire saying: "You don't get owt for nowt".

James also shared some fascinating anecdotes about his partying nights at the NEC and the ensuing gruelling workdays he committed to in spite of that, displaying his unwavering dedication to his craft.

Needless to say, he wasn't just present, he was well-prepared, showing up in fresh chef's attire right after an early morning shower.

In another episode, James shared a humorous incident where an unfortunate mix-up involving a pizza oven roof caused him to inadvertently set fire to the side of his house.

This blunder, arising from a wooden pizza oven roof rather than a metal one, resulted in an unexpected barbecue disaster.

When it came to comical culinary tales, James also told another story involving his dad, who managed to launch his chops "20-30 feet in the air" thanks to an explosive barbecue mishap.

But demonstrating their unflagging foodie spirit, both father and son quickly retrieved the dishes from the ground.