TV chef James Martin — once the man who swore marriage “didn’t interest [him] in the slightest” — has shocked fans and friends alike by getting engaged to his personal trainer girlfriend, Kim Johnson.
The beloved Saturday Morning host, 53, is said to be “happier than ever” after proposing to Kim, 39, less than two years after they began dating in March 2024. And in classic James fashion, the proposal came with not just a ring… but a brand-new Land Rover Defender, which Kim showcased on Instagram, admitting she was “speechless.”
“It’s taken James decades to finally get there,” an insider told The Sun, “and friends share a wry smile at his U-turn. But everyone has seen the change in him since meeting Kim. He’s never been happier. They are a wonderful couple.”
The pair were first spotted together in Mayfair in March 2024 and quickly became inseparable — holidaying in France that summer before Kim moved in with him in October. Their romance followed James’ split from long-term partner Louise Davies after 12 years together.
Kim, previously married to businessman Arun Nayar until 2017, appears to have brought a whole new chapter of stability and joy to the chef’s life.
James’ change of heart is striking, considering his 2019 declaration to The Sunday People:
“Marriage doesn’t interest me in the slightest… I don’t need to spend 60 grand on a day. I’m more than happy, thanks.”
Yet here he is — ring in pocket, keys to a luxury 4×4 in hand — proving that even the most stubborn vows can soften when the right person arrives.