Chef James Martin has been accused of exhibiting bullying and intimidating behaviour while filming an ITV show, it’s been reported.
It’s been claimed that in May this year, a complaint was made to the broadcaster from close colleagues, resulting in ITV confronting the TV personality and informing him that he needed to change his conduct.
It’s been said that while filming James Martin’s Spanish Adventure – a show that follows previous instalments in countries including France and America – he sparked concern over the way in which he treated members of his crew.
According to Deadline, it’s understood that the complaint is the second time that ITV has been alerted to his behaviour.
In 2018 while filming James Martin’s Saturday Morning, which has aired on ITV since 2017, Martin is said to have ‘launched a foul-mouthed tirade against staff’ when a drain in his home became blocked, the publication reported.
It’s claimed that a senior figure at ITV spoke to Martin in the same week that ITV’s CEO Dame Carolyn McCall was questioned by MPs over former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield, his exit from the broadcaster and his admission that he lied about having an affair with a runner.
ITV said that the welfare of the people who work on their shows was its ‘highest priority’ when questioned by Deadline over the complaints made about Martin.
Blue Marlin Television, the production company run by the chef, has reportedly also been told by ITV to update its processes to reflect ‘best practise’, the publication stated.
ITV is said to have declined to say whether Martin broke its Supplier Code of Conduct, which stipulates that its suppliers will ‘operate a working environment that is free from verbal, physical or online harassment and abuse’.
The code of conduct continues: ‘Everyone should be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect. Conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment will not be tolerated.’
Addressing the more recent complaint made about Martin, Blue Marlin Television is said to have stated that ‘lessons have been learned’, with the chef reportedly not denying allegations of bullying.
Blue Marlin said: ‘An unfortunate incident occurred after filming James Martin’s Saturday Morning in 2018 where James’ home was badly damaged. Blue Marlin accepted responsibility. James was shocked by what had happened and on reflection acknowledges he responded emotionally, which he wholly regrets. James apologizes for any offence or upset caused, as he did at the time to the crew involved.
‘Following this and some issues filming James Martin’s Spanish Adventure, James and Blue Marlin Television agree that lessons have been learned which have been discussed with members of the team and with ITV. Blue Marlin Television and James Martin have taken on board ITV’s recommendations and their sharing of best practice, and are in the process of fully implementing.
‘Since the 2018 incident, Blue Marlin Television has continued to film over 500 shows at James’ home. Blue Marlin Television remains committed to ensuring the welfare of all those with whom they work is of the utmost priority.’
An ITV spokesperson also said: ‘At ITV people and their welfare are our highest priority. 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. We make clear our expectations in this regard as part of our pre-greenlight duty of care processes. This includes having appropriate independent controls in place to enable everyone who works on their shows to confidently and confidentially raise concerns.
‘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.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for James Martin, ITV and Blue Marlin Television for comment.
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