‘London is broken’: Celebrity chef James Martin reveals car was smashed by vandals in broad daylight

Celebrity chef James Martin has said "London is broken" after vandals smashed the rear window of his car.

The 52-year-old, who presents James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV, shared a photo of the damage on Instagram, showing a shattered rear windscreen.

Martin did not confirm whether anything had been stolen from the car boot.

Posting on Instagram, he wrote: "So in a week two of my friends' cars got stolen, one other mate got mugged and now I had this happen — all in broad daylight, all in central London. London is broken big time…”

He added: “Next time I’m bringing the Mali’s,” along with three paw print emojis — a reference to the Belgian Malinois dog breed.

Supportive fans were quick to rally around the TV host, who made his name fronting BBC's Saturday Kitchen Live for ten years from 2006 to 2016.

One fan wrote: "So sorry this has happened to you. The whole of the UK is the same, the laws need to change and we need more police on the streets."

Another posted: "I'm a cockney, James, and I hate what's happened to my city. I only go into London if I have to. Can't even get your phone out to answer it for fear of it getting snatched, can't use a nice bag, can't wear a nice watch. It's no longer safe for women. London has become lawless as has most of the UK because the government is too soft on crime."

A third added: "This is shocking, it’s vandalism going unchecked. It’s not only the cost of repair, it’s the inconvenience, and if you’re like me and love your car, it’s very personal and heartbreaking."

Away from Saturday morning cookery shows, Martin has become one of TV's most familiar faces presenting James Martin's Great British Adventure, Islands to Highlands and James Martin’s French Adventure.

He has also published over 20 best-selling cook books and amassed over 750,000 followers on Instagram.

However, he has faced personal difficulties including a bout with facial cancer in 2018, which was operated on but "returned on several occasions". Martin kept his diagnosis a secret from the public for some years.

In November 2023, he announced he was taking a "little break from work" for several months of further treatment.

Speaking to audiences while on tour, 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.”