Inside eligible bachelor James Martin’s VERY private love life: From a 12-year relationship with ex Louise Davies to living alone and admitting he has no plans to start a family

James Martin has been notoriously private about his relationships, but on Tuesday he confirmed his split from girlfriend Louise Davies after 12 years together.

The celebrity chef, 51, who lives alone in a country house in Hampshire, became a heartthrob after being crowned Britain’s most eligible bachelor by a magazine 27 years ago.

James has previously admitted he has no plans to propose or start a family as it ‘doesn’t interest him in the slightest’, despite his long-term romance with Louis, 47.

A spokesperson for James told MailOnline that they split in December 2023 and remain good friends.

It comes as James was spotted in Mayfair by watches, with personal trainer and potential new love interest Kim Johnson.

Here, MailOnline looks back at James’ dating history.

Kim Johnson

James was spotted shopping in Mayfair for the first time with his potential new love interest Kim Johnson on Saturday.

She is a personal trainer who often posts bikini-clad photos and fitness content on social media.

Kim is the ex-wife of businessman Arun Nayar, who was married to actress Elizabeth Hurley from 2007 to 2011.

Their breakup was made public after it was discovered she had a romance with cricketer Shane Warne after the split.

Kim and Arun first got together in 2011. They married in July 2016 and divorced the following year.

However, they kept in touch and have been photographed together at events in the years since.

Louise Davis

Celebrity chef James and Louise, 47, first started dating in 2011 after meeting on the set of Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

James and the TV producer lived together in a country house in Hampshire during their relationship with the chef, before revealing they had no plans to ever get married.

Speaking to the Sunday People in 2019, he said: ‘No, it doesn’t interest me at all, especially because I’ve actually done so many weddings.

‘I admire people who do it, that’s fine, but I’m quite happy with it. I don’t need to spend 60,000 euros a day, no, I’m more than happy, thank you.’

When their romance was first revealed in 2016, a source told The Sun: ‘James is desperate to keep his private life out of the spotlight and under wraps following his romance with Barbara.

“It’s easy with Louise, because she also likes quiet things, unlike Barbara, who liked to worry about him.”

“James seems very happy with Louise and the fact that he’s talking about it again could mean he’s ready to get rid of his bachelor’s degree once and for all.”

But the couple decided to spend time on their relationship in December 2023 after 12 years together.

Barbara Broccoli

Prior to his relationship with Louise, James enjoyed a four-and-a-half year romance with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.

The chef and the film boss, 63, met when she paid £18,000 to have him cook her a meal as part of a charity auction in 2001, when he was 29.

We hit it off immediately and James cooked for her again at her birthday party.

James, who is twelve years younger than Barbara, insists that the age difference has never been a problem in their relationship.

Writing in the Ny Breaking, he said: ‘The age difference never seemed to be an issue. I’ve always liked independent women: we both had strong opinions and had a lot to say for ourselves, so life was never boring.’

He described her as “the first real love of my life” and said he will always think about her a lot.

They eventually went their separate ways when James realized there was an “imbalance” in their relationship.

Barbara showered the chef with gifts including a Picasso painting, and once offered him a £180,000 Aston Martin, which he said was too expensive.

Reflecting on the breakup, he wrote: “It’s hard to walk away from someone you love and who loves you so much.

‘Maybe it was the stupidest thing I’ve done in my life, but it was probably the wisest thing. Ultimately, I think this was the best thing, not only for Barbara and me, but for her children as well.”

James has also dated Sally Kettle, who was Miss England in 2001, actress Claire Goose and interior designer Julia Dempster.

He was extremely private about these relationships and not much is known about them.