James Martin once admitted that giving up the chance to settle down and raise a family would remain one of his biggest regrets.
The chef, 51, has split from his girlfriend Louise Davies, 47, after 12 years together, MailOnline revealed on Tuesday.
Despite their long relationship, the couple never married or had children, with James ruling her out in the past.
The restaurateur, who owns a restaurant, four bakery branches and a cooking school, previously explained how he dedicated his life to his successful career, “giving up everything”.
In an interview with Primary in 2020, he admitted: “The biggest low point of my career is that I gave up everything for this.”
James Martin, 51, once admitted that giving up the chance to settle down and raise a family will remain one of his biggest regrets (photo from June 2023)
The chef has split from girlfriend Louise Davies after 12 years together, MailOnline revealed on Tuesday, with James ruling out marriage and children in the past (pictured together in 2021)
James continued: “I look at my friends and they’re all married and have kids, and that’s not the case for me because I’m so focused on work.
“The level of commitment it requires and the choices you have to make have a huge impact. But would I do the same thing again? Probably because it’s what made me who I am. And why does everyone have to follow the standard anyway?
It was revealed on Tuesday that James had split from Louise after 12 years together, with a source telling MailOnline they had split.
The celebrity chef and the TV producer began dating in 2011 after meeting on the set of Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
In 2018, he said he “just wasn’t interested in marriage.”
He told The Sunday People’s TV magazine: “No, I’m not interested at all, mainly because I’ve planned so many weddings, actually.”
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for James confirmed that he and Louise separated in December 2023 and remain good friends.
It came as James was seen browsing watches in Mayfair alongside personal trainer Kim Johnson on Saturday.
The restaurateur, who owns a restaurant, four bakery branches and a cooking school, previously explained how he dedicated his life to his career, “giving up everything” (pictured by This Morning in 2022)
The celebrity chef and the TV producer began dating in 2011 after meeting on the set of Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Kim is the ex-wife of businessman Arun Nayar, who was married to actress Elizabeth Hurley from 2007 to 2011.
Their breakup was revealed after it was discovered she was romantically involved with cricketer Shane Warne following the split.
Kim and Arun first met in 2011. They married in July 2016 and divorced the following year.
However, they remained in touch and were photographed together at events in the years that followed.
On Saturday, Kim and James went shopping on Old Bond Street, where the famous Tiffany & Co. is located.
James and Louise lived together in a mansion in Hampshire during their relationship.
Before his relationship with Louise, James had a four-and-a-half-year romantic relationship with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
The chef and film boss, 63, met when she paid £18,000 for him to cook her a meal at a charity auction in 2001, when he was 29 .
The couple hit it off immediately and James cooked for her again at her birthday party.
James, who is 12 years younger than Barbara, insisted the age difference was never a problem in their relationship.
Writing in the Daily Mail, he said: “The age difference never seemed to be a problem. I always liked independent women: we both had strong opinions and lots to say, so life was never boring.
He described her as “the first true love of my life” and said he would always think of her.
They eventually broke up when James realized there was an “imbalance” in their relationship.
Barbara gave the chef gifts including a Picasso painting, and once offered to buy him an Aston Martin worth £180,000, which he thought was too expensive.
Recalling the breakup, he wrote: “Getting away from someone you love and who loves you so much is hard.
“It might have been the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but it was probably also the most sensible. In the end, I think it was for the best, not just for Barbara and me, but for her children as well.
Late last year, James announced he would be calling time on his career amid his battle with cancer.
News of the split came as James was seen browsing watches in Mayfair on Saturday alongside personal trainer Kim Johnson.
Before his relationship with Louise, James had a four-and-a-half-year romantic relationship with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
Kim married businessman Arun Nayar in 2016 and the couple divorced the following year (2015 photo)
Arun was married to Elizabeth Hurley from 2007 to 2011 (pictured together in 2010)
According to Daily Mirrorhe said at a public event: “On a personal note, I just wanted to thank you for 30 years of television.
“For me personally, I’ve been through a lot with cancer, but I’ll be sorted by the end of next month.
“I will be back in action at the end of February but I am taking a short break to sort this out.”
He added: “I just wanted to thank you for all your support and messages.”