James Martin ‘replaced’ as he ‘takes break’ amid cancer battle in ITV schedule shake up

JIMMY Doherty has been poached by ITV amid revelations celebrity chef James Martin has plans to step back.

The Jimmy’s Farm star – usually seen on BBC or Channel 4 – is launching a new cooking show called Jimmy’s Taste of Florida.

The five-episode series will launch in February 2024 showing Jimmy’s travels around the Sunshine State.

It follows news that Saturday Morning host James is “taking a break” from TV amid his private cancer battle.

The 51-year-old was secretly diagnosed with facial cancer in 2018 before it returned on “several occasions”.

He recently revealed he’s taking time off to “get it sorted”.

Meanwhile Jimmy’s new show was unveiled at Visit Florida’s World Travel Market dinner in London this week.

Footage showed the farmer proudly showcasing his new adventure – starting off in Pensacola, Florida, and travelling hundreds of miles across the country where he’ll end his food discovery trip in Miami.

Jimmy is best known for presenting Channel 4 hit show Jimmy’s Farm from 2020 and being Jamie Oliver’s best friend from childhood.

The pals have their own cooking show together, Jamie & Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, which has been running on C4 since 2014.

James presented BBC’s Saturday Kitchen for ten years until 2016.

The following year he jumped to ITV where he has gone on to host Saturday Morning with James Martin.

He’s also filmed several food travel shows, dubbed the ‘adventure’ series, which have seen him travel across, Britain, America and Spain.

In July, the This Morning chef revealed his cancer battle after finding himself at the centre of shock bullying claims.

Leaked audio emerged of him ranting and swearing at staff 42 times as his anger boiled over after a drain was blocked at his home during filming for Saturday Morning.

James admitted that the end of 2017 was “one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life” as he apologised for any hurt caused.

He had an operation in 2018 to remove facial cancer, but it has since returned.

Speaking to the audience at one of The James Martin Band’s live gigs, he told the crowd: “On a personal note, I just wanted to say thank you for 30 years of television.

“For me personally, I’ve been through a lot of s*** with cancer but I’m getting sorted at the end of next month.

“I will be back fighting at the end of February but I’m going on a little bit of a break to get that sorted.

“I just wanted to say thank you for all your support and all your messages.”

The Sun has approached ITV for comment.