ITV's Saturday Morning host James Martin has revealed that a recent eye surgery procedure has left his production team feeling somewhat apprehensive, as his newly enhanced eyesight has intensified his already meticulous nature.
'I can see round corners now'
The 53-year-old celebrity chef opened up about the transformative effects of his operation during an appearance on Good Housekeeping's My Life In A Biscuit Tin podcast. When host Liz Moseley questioned if his perfectionist tendencies made him 'a bit of a nightmare to be around,' Martin laughed before explaining the significant change.
James Martin underwent full refractive lens surgery, a procedure where the eye's natural lens is replaced with an artificial one to correct focusing issues. The chef described the astonishing results, stating, "Oh my God, I can see round corners now, it's scary!"
He elaborated on the impact at work, saying, "People are now scared at work because I can see stuff a mile off. I can see veins on a tree, I can now read without glasses, it's amazing."
Culinary precision meets television production
Martin was quick to point out that his sharp eye for detail isn't solely a product of his new vision. He explained that it's a fundamental trait honed by years in the culinary industry. "The attention to detail to me comes from the fact that you work in an industry where detail is everything," he told the podcast.
He revealed that he applies the same rigorous standards from his restaurant background directly to his ITV show. This includes holding post-show meetings with the Saturday Morning team to analyse the day's broadcast.
"We all have a meeting afterwards at the end of the day - what worked, what didn't work, what could be better, what couldn't be better, and we all have a meeting in the morning [to discuss] what's coming up," Martin disclosed. "And that is what we do in the restaurant business, it's a chef's thing."
A show built around its host
During the podcast conversation, host Liz Moseley noted that the ITV programme is so intrinsically linked to James Martin's distinctive personality and aesthetic that he would be impossible to replace. The chef's obsession with detail extends to his home and garden, a character trait that has only been amplified since his surgery.
While his colleagues might currently be on high alert, Martin believes this unwavering focus on improvement ultimately benefits the viewer. "I think you can still have that attention to detail, because it still matters to people watching," he concluded, affirming his commitment to delivering the highest quality show each week.
