ITV signs popular farmer to new cooking show to replace James Martin after chef took TV break as battle with cancer

Entertainment

ITV has signed a popular farmer to front a brand new cooking show, replacing James Martin after he retired from TV due to his battle with cancer.

Jimmy's Farm star Jimmy Doherty, 48, will do that host a new five-episode cooking show entitled Jimmy's Taste of Florida.

In the series, he crosses the pond to Florida and visits ten state locations, including popular destinations like Miami, Tampa, Universal Orlando and lesser-known areas including Anna Maria Island and St. Petersburg.

Viewers will see Jimmy share food stories with an astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and race the fastest oyster shell in the US in Panama City Beach.

The show kicks off on Monday, with Jimmy celebrating on Instagram with a slew of behind-the-scenes snaps.

ITV has signed a popular farmer to front a brand new cooking show, replacing James Martin, after he retired from TV amid his battle with cancer (James pictured in June)

Jimmy's Farm star Jimmy Doherty, 48, will host a new five-episode cooking show titled Jimmy's Taste of Florida (pictured)

In the series, he crosses the pond to Florida and visits 10 state locations, including popular destinations such as Miami, Tampa, Universal Orlando and lesser-known areas including Anna Maria Island and St. Petersburg.

Expressing his excitement, he wrote, “I I love the US but didn't know Florida well so I jumped at the chance to discover a favorite holiday destination for Brits through its food… and it didn't disappoint!

“From boiled peanuts to Michelin-starred fine dining and everything in between, Florida has a great food story to tell.

'I'm more of a cook than a chef, so I was looking for simple, accessible, easy dishes that anyone can get started with. And of course I met some great characters along the way.”

Jimmy's recruitment comes next celebrity chef James51, announced he would be taking a break from TV until the end of February.

In November last year, he gave fans a heartfelt update on his health while on stage at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall for his tour show.

According to The daily mirrorhe said: 'On a personal note I wanted to thank you for 30 years of television.

'For me personally, I have been through a lot of misery with cancer, but it will be resolved at the end of next month.

'I'm going to fight again at the end of February, but I'm taking a break to sort that out. I just wanted to thank you for all your support and all your messages.'

Viewers see Jimmy share food stories with an astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and race the fastest oyster shell in the US in Panama City Beach

The show kicks off on Monday, with Jimmy celebrating on Instagram with a slew of behind-the-scenes photos

James revealed he had surgery to remove the facial cancer after his diagnosis in 2018.

The shock confession came after an extraordinary tape was leaked The sun where James berated his TV crew in a foul-mouthed tirade about a clogged drain.

He told the newspaper that the outburst was the culmination of a series of unfortunate events in his life, which began with the death of his grandfather, followed by a home invasion by masked burglars and ultimately a cancer diagnosis.

He said: 'Then I was diagnosed with cancer in my face and had to have surgery, which I wasn't able to do until two days before Christmas when we finished filming.

'Since then it has returned several times and I require regular treatment.'

The insulting 10-minute tirade against staff took place during production of his show, James Martin's Saturday Morning, and took place during a heated Zoom call in 2018 – the same year he had surgery for his cancer.

In the audio recording released by The sunJames swore 42 times and said his staff should be 'fucking fired' and ordered them to take their lunch break while standing in the 'fucking rain'.

James said he “completely regrets” getting angry, and agreed that “lessons have been learned.”

Jimmy's hiring comes after celebrity chef James, 51, announced he would be taking a break from TV until the end of February (pictured in 2021)

Last year he found himself in trouble again after being reprimanded by ITV bosses over allegations he bullied and intimidated his food show staff.

The broadcaster confirmed it had spoken to the star after concerns were raised about the treatment of crew members during the filming of James Martin's Spanish Adventure in May.

After investigating the matter, ITV chiefs told the programme's production company Blue Marlin that changes would be made immediately, online news website Deadline reports.

Sources at ITV told the Mail that bosses would take a 'strong interest in future shoots' from the chef, whose affable demeanor has won him a huge fan base.

JAMES' FULL STATEMENT

“First of all, I would like to apologize to the crew involved in this incident, as I did at the time. I have always strived to keep my private life private.

'But since details of a conversation secretly recorded in January 2018, now being made public five years later by a former member of our production team, I have decided to make a statement.

'The end of 2017 was one of the most charged and difficult periods of my life. I was dealing with the death of my last living grandparent, my grandfather, and work commitments prevented me from attending his funeral.

'Later that month I was burgled at night by a team of masked men, who entered my house while my partner Louise was home alone and I was at work. I was devastated that she had to go through that alone.

'On top of that, I was diagnosed with cancer in my face and had to have surgery, which I wasn't able to do until two days before Christmas when we finished filming. Since then it has returned several times and I have to undergo regular treatments.'

'After all this stress I was in a very emotional state, and when I discovered after filming in early January 2018 that my house was flooded during filming, I was extremely upset.

'I can only say that I am human and after the increasing pressure in my personal life I admit that I have overreacted regarding the damage to my home.'