Saturday Kitchen James Martin's cancer battle as he's forever changed after 'horrific' admission James Martin has returned to TV and is looking forward to the next chapter of his career after he told a crowd in Liverpool about his break James Martin is looking forward to the next chapter of his career (Image: Getty Images ) James Martin was flooded with support when he announced in Liverpool he was temporarily stepping away from TV. The popular presenter brought his live show to the Philharmonic Hall in 2023 for a jam-packed evening that comprised of cooking demonstrations, audience interaction and musical performances from his band, Midnight Ramblers. James ended the show with a personal message to mark a special milestone in television. The ECHO was in attendance as he said: "On a personal note, I just wanted to say thank you for 30 years of television." ‌ The now 52-year-old received a standing ovation from the Liverpool crowd as he revealed he is hopefully coming to the end of what has been a difficult time. He said: "For me personally, I've been through a lot of s**t 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." James has regularly opened up his cancer battle as he revealed he was first diagnosed with cancer in 2017. The statement was in response to reports the presenter was asked to change his behaviour at ITV following complaints about the treatment of crew members. Article continues below He said: "The end of 2017 was one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life. I was dealing with the death of my last living grandparent, my grandfather, and on account of work commitments I could not attend his funeral. "Later that month I was burgled at night by a team of masked men, who entered my house while my partner Louise was at home alone and I was away working. I was devastated that she had to go through that alone. "On top of this I was then diagnosed with cancer on my face and I had to have surgery, which I couldn't do until two days before Christmas when we had finished filming. Since then it has returned on several occasions and I have to have regular treatments. ‌ "After all this stress I was in a very emotional state, and when after filming in early January 2018 I discovered my home had been flooded while filming, I was extremely upset. I can only say I am human and following a build-up of personal life pressure, I admit that I overreacted regarding the damage to my home." James has since returned to television and offered a positive update on his cancer treatment on Lorraine last year. He told the Scottish presenter: "The stitches have fallen out, as you know, the last time you were on, I was in the middle of operations. As we speak, the stitches have fallen out of my body at the moment and that's all clear, onwards and upwards! James had further positive news on the Good Food podcast as he revealed he is now looking forward to the future and has been changed by his cancer battle. ‌ He told host Samuel Goldsmith: "'When you get given that news, it's horrific, but when you're given the news at the end of it, it makes you think in a different light.'". James remains as busy as ever as he looks forward to the next chapter of his career. He hosted an episode of Saturday Kitchen yesterday and was joined by guests Kirsty Gallacher, Shivi Ramoutar, Alex Dilling and Romy Gill. He has also recently embarked on a nationwide UK tour which seem him play 20 venues across the UK. The chef came to Liverpool and played a show at the Philharmonic Hall on the run in February 25.