James Martin Reveals He Has Undergone New Surgery Following Previous Facial Cancer Treatment

Chef and TV presenter James Martin has revealed that he recently underwent another surgery—this time to improve his eyesight—two years after publicly sharing that he had been receiving treatment for facial cancer (Source: Good Housekeeping).

The beloved chef first disclosed in summer 2023 that he had been dealing with a recurring form of facial cancer, a diagnosis originally made in 2018. At the time, he was also under intense public scrutiny related to allegations about his behaviour on the set of James Martin’s Saturday Morning. While addressing those reports, he confirmed he had been privately undergoing medical procedures to manage the condition (Source: The Independent).

After several surgeries and a temporary break from his ITV show, James eventually returned and reassured fans that he felt “fit as a fiddle,” expressing optimism about his health and future work commitments (Source: BBC News).

However, his latest update reveals that his medical journey has continued in a different way.

“Scary” New Eye Surgery

Speaking on Good Housekeeping’s My Life In A Biscuit Tin podcast, James was asked whether his infamous work ethic makes him “a bit of a nightmare to be around.” He responded with a laugh:

“Not really. I think I see everything… worse now because I’ve had my eyes done!”

He then explained that he had undergone full refractive lens surgery, a more advanced procedure compared to standard laser eye operations.

“So, you know how people have laser surgery? I had full refractive lens surgery—my lenses were taken out and new ones put in,” he shared.

The results, he joked, are almost superhuman:

“Oh my God, I can see round corners now. It’s scary!”

Refractive lens exchange is often used for patients who want to eliminate the need for glasses or who have early lens-related issues. According to ophthalmic specialists interviewed by The Guardian in similar cases, the procedure can offer “dramatic clarity” for those who qualify (Source: The Guardian).

A New Level of Detail — And Staff Who Are Terrified

James went on to describe how the improved vision has affected his work—and the people who work with him.

“People are now scared at work because I can see stuff a mile off. I can see veins on a tree. I can now read without glasses—it’s amazing.”

He admitted that his famously high standards feel even more heightened now, but said that such precision is part of the culinary world:

“That attention to detail comes from the fact that you work in an industry where detail is everything.”

Why Attention to Detail Still Matters to Him

The chef reflected on whether he can ever switch off that instinct for perfection, especially when moving between the kitchen and television production.

“Can I stop that attention to detail in the industry, always wanting to be better every single day? And can I, when I go up into TV production, do the same?”

He answered his own question clearly:

“I think you can still have that attention to detail because it matters to people watching. It matters that you care. Why shouldn’t you care? Each day needs to be better—or at least as good as the day before.”

This philosophy echoes comments he’s made in past interviews, where he has emphasised that the pressure he places on himself professionally stems from wanting to deliver the best possible experience to audiences and diners alike (Source: BBC Breakfast).