James Martin spills the beans about his ‘simple’ diet trick after losing three stone as he gets candid about his weight loss journey

James Martin has opened up about his recent weight loss, after shedding 40 pounds and revealing a ‘simple’ secret ingredient in his diet.

The 52-year-old British chef explained that he eats fish twice a day and that this ‘groundbreaking’ diet has helped him lose weight.

He told told The Birmingham Live: ‘Losing weight is a balance of everything, it’s getting your ass off the couch and doing more and not eating less, but eating a variety of foods. Water is the key.’

‘As I get older I realize I don’t have to go to the gym, I work [in the kitchen] all the time anyway.

“Water keeps your brain healthy, your skin healthy, and you stay focused. It’s crazy how much more alive your brain feels when you stop drinking soda. It’s really weird.”

James Martin has spoken candidly about his recent weight loss journey after losing 3 stone, revealing what the ‘simple’ secret ingredient to his diet is (pictured June 2023)

The British chef, 52, explained how he eats fish twice a day as he talked about the 'groundbreaking' diet that has helped him lose weight (pictured April 2024)

The British chef, 52, explained how he eats fish twice a day as he talked about the ‘groundbreaking’ diet that has helped him lose weight (pictured April 2024)

“What could be easier than pan-frying a piece of salmon and serving it with some delicious new potatoes and seasonal vegetables?” adds James.

Earlier last month, the chef paused ITV’s Saturday Morning to reassure viewers after a “gunshot-like” sound was heard.

The presenter was joined on the show by chefs Claude Bosi and Jonny Lake, who discussed a classic recipe for Tarte Tatin during a question and answer session.

Sitting outside his house, where the series was filmed, the trio discussed different ways they could customize the cake when they were interrupted.

James began the segment: ‘So far, so good questions. We have one more. Barbara Rogers, we loved your recipe for Tarte Tatin, apparently it’s won awards in the family.’

“I’ve been to a Tarte Tatin masterclass,” said James, while the viewer, Barbara, asked: “I want to know, is there any other fruit you can use in a Tarte Tatin?”

He replied, ‘But it’s not just that you can use vegetables. You can use shallots, bits and pieces.’

James agreed before ending the call to address the sound issue, reassuring viewers: “That’s not a shotgun by the way, we have a crow scarer.

He told The Birmingham Live: 'Losing weight is a balance of everything, it's getting your bum off the couch and doing more and not eating less, but eating different things. Water is the key.'

He told The Birmingham Live: ‘Losing weight is a balance of everything, it’s getting your bum off the couch and doing more and not eating less, but eating different things. Water is the key.’

Earlier last month, the chef paused ITV's Saturday Morning broadcast to reassure viewers after a

Earlier last month, the chef paused ITV’s Saturday Morning broadcast to reassure viewers after a “shotgun-like” sound was heard

The presenter was joined on the show by chefs Claude Bosi and Jonny Lake, as they discussed a classic recipe for Tarte Tatin during a Q&A session

The presenter was joined on the show by chefs Claude Bosi and Jonny Lake, as they discussed a classic recipe for Tarte Tatin during a Q&A session

Sitting outside his home, where the series is filmed, the trio discussed the different ways the pastries can be adapted when they are interrupted

Sitting outside his home, where the series is filmed, the trio discussed the different ways the pastries can be adapted when they are interrupted

‘The farmer just planted some plants, we’re really going to get a lot of them during the day. It’s to prevent the pigeons from destroying his plants too.’

James returned to television in August after taking a summer break.

However, things got a little awkward during the return episode, when he had to give his guest a warning amidst the culinary chaos.

The TV chef welcomed restaurateur Asma Khan into his ITV kitchen, where the two were cooking together.

But when they started cooking, the two chefs seemed to clash a little. Asma started to worry about the crispy food in the pan next to them.

To reassure her, James interrupted her: “Don’t worry, I’m working on it,” as Asma quickly hit back: ‘I’m not stressing you out. I’m just looking around to see what’s going to happen.’

James got the conversation going by asking, “Do you want this peeled?” to which she replied, “No, it doesn’t have to be peeled.”

“I wouldn’t peel it,” James agreed, while Asma added wittily, “No, it’s not worth it and there’s a limit to how much I can torture you on your own show.”

The return of his Saturday morning cooking show comes after it was revealed that James has taken his relationship with new girlfriend Kim Johnson to the next level by enjoying a romantic holiday in France.

The former Saturday Kitchen host was pictured with personal trainer Kim at bed and breakfast Le Jardin de Rose this week, seven months after he split from his former partner Louise Davies.

James started dating Kim after he left his girlfriend Louise. He was together with her for 12 years but never got married after admitting that marriage doesn’t ‘interest’ him at all.

Kim, the ex-wife of 59-year-old millionaire tech entrepreneur Arun Nayar, wore a floral dress as she cuddled up to James during their rustic getaway.

Bed and breakfast owners Min and Barry were so impressed with James staying with them that they posted their appreciation on Facebook.

Things got a little awkward during the return episode in August, after he had to give his guest Asma Khan a warning amidst the culinary chaos (pictured back in April)

Things got a little awkward during the return episode in August, after he had to give his guest Asma Khan a warning amidst the culinary chaos (pictured back in April)

The Saturday Kitchen host was pictured at a bed and breakfast seven months after splitting from his former partner Louise Davies (pictured with Louise in November 2023)

The Saturday Kitchen host was pictured at a bed and breakfast seven months after splitting from his former partner Louise Davies (pictured with Louise in November 2023)

James went public with his engagement to Kim in March when the couple were pictured shopping together in London’s Mayfair.

A spokesperson for James confirmed to MailOnline that he and TV producer Louise split in December last year.

They met on the set of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? in 2011, but decided not to get married during their 12-year relationship.