James Martin's 'New Series Will Still Be Broadcast' Despite Claims of Bullying Allegations
Key Highlights :
Despite allegations of bullying, James Martin's 'new TV series will still be broadcast by ITV' this autumn. The 51-year-old TV chef had been under fire for a foul-mouthed rant at his TV crew in 2018, shortly after his shock cancer diagnosis. The leaked audio of the incident had reportedly left ITV senior bosses 'furious', leading to speculation that Martin could be axed from the network.
However, according to a new report, his show, James Martin's Spanish Adventure, will still be aired this autumn. An ITV spokesperson has confirmed that the series will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX in the Autumn.
The incident had come to light after a swathe of complaints were made about the chef's conduct while filming James Martin's Spanish Adventure this year, sparking an internal investigation into his behaviour. Martin had admitted to 'overreacting' and agreed that 'lessons have been learned'.
Sources at the broadcaster said that they are under contract to make one more series of the programme, but there are currently no plans to order more from the star's production company Blue Marlin.
The incident had reportedly left ITV executives wary of a repeat, with some of them lobbying for the chef's shows not to be recommissioned. It was believed that the channel was still reeling from the fallout of the Phillip Schofield scandal, which was accompanied with accusations of a toxic culture on its flagship This Morning programme.
Martin had revealed that he had been awaiting surgery for facial cancer at the same time as he launched the foul-mouthed rant at his crew. He had said that he was in a 'very emotional state' following a series of personal tragedies, including the death of his last living grandparent, a home invasion, and his cancer diagnosis.
The TV chef had been inundated with supportive messages after the recording of the rant was leaked to The Sun newspaper. Martin had apologised for his behaviour and said that he 'wholly regrets' getting angry.
It is believed that the broadcast of James Martin's Spanish Adventure will go ahead despite the allegations of bullying, and ITV have confirmed that it will be aired in the Autumn.
