TV chef James Martin has been asked to change his behavior at work following complaints received by ITV about his treatment of production staff during the filming of his latest travel cooking show, “James Martin’s Spanish Adventure.”
In a joint statement with production company Blue Marlin, Martin acknowledged that “lessons have been learned” and both parties took responsibility for damaging Martin’s house and garden during a separate incident in 2018. They stated that Martin “wholly regrets” his reaction to the incident.
According to reports, Martin was accused of berating and reducing production staff to tears in front of colleagues while filming the Spanish Adventure program in May. There were also allegations of last-minute schedule changes and arriving an hour late for shoots, depriving the team of proper rest.
ITV responded to the complaints and made recommendations to Blue Marlin regarding staff welfare and the Supplier Code of Conduct. In their statement, Martin and Lindsay said they are implementing ITV’s recommendations.
This is not the first time complaints have been raised about Martin’s behavior on set. In 2018, there was another incident during the production of “James Martin’s Saturday Morning” when he became angry after a drain was blocked at his home, leading to damage to his property.
ITV emphasized its commitment to the welfare of everyone involved in their shows and stated that production companies hold primary responsibility for the duty of care for their staff. They have mechanisms in place for individuals to raise concerns confidentially and confidently.
James Martin is well-known for hosting cookery programs for ITV and previously for the BBC. His production company, Blue Marlin Television, has produced numerous shows at his home.