Celebrity chef James Martin has cheekily described his extensive £5 million vehicle collection as "weird", while delving into what fuels his passion for motors.
The 52-year-old culinary maestro is the proud owner of an awe-inspiring fleet of iconic and historic cars. These include a Subaru Impreza once driven by the legendary Colin McRae and a Mini Cooper with racing history tied to Paddy Hopkirk and Rauno Aaltonen.
The television star however revealed his Toyota Hilux pickup truck is his favourite to drive. This he says is because he can "chuck everything" in the 435-litre boot, reports Wales Online.
Speaking on the Good Food podcast with Samuel Goldsmith, James explained he sees his cars as "art". He said: "Whether you collect anything, you see something as the Holy Grail, it's that sort of stuff, but the car to me is like an aesthetic moving little bit of art. They're just beautiful things.
"It's weird, I'm not married, I've got no kids, my kids have got four wheels, that's it, you're either into them or you're not. I'm not weirdly into them, so I don't get a deckchair and sit in the middle of a field and talk about pistons and stuff like that, but there's something about them."
James also shared a nostalgic snippet from his earlier years: "As a kid I used to peer through the window at Jack Barclay Showrooms in London when I was training as a chef thinking, 'One day'."
James' impressive car collection is reported to contain a Bentley Continental, a Shelby Mustang, a Ferrari 275 GTB, and a Ferrari 288 GTO among others. Although he is said to favour his Hilux and a BMW 760Li for day-to-day use.
In a candid chat with SL.Man, he shared: "I've got a Toyota Hilux pickup truck that I absolutely love – you can chuck everything in it and it will go forever. All my mates take the mick: 'So you've got all these cars, but you drive around in a pick-up truck?'"
James, who is said to be dating personal trainer Kim Johnson, has previously revealed he has no desire to get married. In a frank discussion with Sunday People some years back, he said: "No, it doesn't interest me in the slightest, mainly because I've catered for so many weddings, really. I admire people who do it, that's fine, but I'm quite happy. I don't need to spend 60 grand on a day, no, I'm more than happy thanks."
The TV chef, who is often in the company of friends with families, has talked about the sacrifices made for his demanding career. In an interview with Prima magazine in 2020, he confessed: "The biggest low of my career is that I've given up everything for it.
"The level of commitment it requires and the choices you have to make have a huge impact."
James Martin's Saturday Morning returns to TV screens at 9.30am on ITV One today as Julia Bradbury joins the star at his Hampshire home.
Lisa Goodwin-Allen and Judy Joo will be serving food while First Dates star Merlin Griffiths will be making cocktails.
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