TV chef James Martin is the latest high-profile TV star to find himself at the centre of a bullying storm, according to a report in Deadline.
The report claims ITV has told Malton-born Martin to change his behaviour after the channel received a complaint about intimidation in May from some of the presenter’s colleagues.
Concerns were apparently raised about Martin’s treatment of crew during recent filming on James Martin’s Spanish Adventure, the latest travel cooking show of Martin’s six-year spell at ITV.
Deadline further reports that the complaint is the second time ITV has been made aware of “misgivings” about Martin’s conduct. It cites sources who stated that an earlier complaint was made when he launched a foul-mouthed tirade against staff during the production of James Martin’s Saturday Morning, although this complaint was informal rather than through official channels.
The latest complaints could be a fresh headache for ITV chiefs, and its comms team, who are still reeling from the fallout from the recent Phillip Schofield scandal after the presenter admitted to having a sexual relationship with a young runner on This Morning.
ITV has issued a statement explaining that staff welfare was its “highest priority” and that “the production companies who make shows for us have primary responsibility for the duty of care of everyone they work with, both on and off screen.”
It added: “Following a complaint we received in May from members of the Blue Marlin production team about the filming of James Martin’s Spanish Adventure, we contacted Blue Marlin to discuss these concerns and to understand how the issues raised were being addressed and what actions were being taken.
“As a result, we made a number of recommendations for Blue Marlin to implement as soon as possible, sharing best practice of some of our own relevant procedures around staff welfare and reiterating our Supplier Code of Conduct.”
