In an unexpected twist, TV chef James Martin has announced his engagement to his personal trainer girlfriend, Kim Johnson, just months after declaring that marriage “doesn’t interest him in the slightest.” The Saturday Kitchen star, 53, has stunned fans with this new chapter in his life after almost two years of dating, revealing that Kim, 39, has brought him a happiness he’s never known before.
Once adamantly against the idea of tying the knot, James has experienced a complete turnaround, proposing to Kim with a heartfelt gesture—a brand-new Land Rover Defender as an engagement gift. This bold move has certainly made waves, especially considering his past declarations about marriage, including a 2019 interview where he said he’d rather not “spend £60,000 on a day.”
But sources close to the couple insist that James is now the happiest he’s ever been, with friends noticing the positive change Kim has brought into his life.
A Love Story That Took Everyone by Surprise!
After parting ways with his long-term partner Louise Davies in December 2023, James quickly moved on to a new chapter with Kim. They were first spotted together in March 2024, and the relationship blossomed quickly from there. By October 2025, Kim had even moved into James’ picturesque country home in Hampshire.
Despite being married before (Kim was once married to Arun Nayar, ex-husband of Elizabeth Hurley), James is said to be over the moon with his fiancée, calling their connection “the real deal.” Their whirlwind romance has already included trips to France and shopping sprees in London’s exclusive Mayfair.
James, who has also shed three stone this year, is now living a new life with Kim, a woman who seems to have captured his heart—and with it, his vow to never get married. The transformation is undeniable, and it looks like love might be the key ingredient James had been missing all along.
For more on James’ surprising engagement and what’s next for this beloved chef, stay tuned!
