Celebrity chef James Martin has quietly rebuilt his fractured relationship with his father after years of bitter estrangement, the Daily Mail can reveal.
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The TV chef, 53, had once vowed never to speak to Ian Martin again following a family rift sparked by explosive claims about his stepmother in his autobiography.
James, best known for his work on BBC's Saturday Kitchen, had cut off contact with his father in 2006 - and later admitted: 'I've accepted he will never be a part of my life'.
Yet, with James now preparing to tie the knot to girlfriend, Kim Johnson, 39, following reports of a Christmas proposal, there appears to have been an emotional family reconciliation.
Proud dad Ian described the bond with his son as 'as good as ever', telling the Daily Mail: 'There's no estrangement'.
A family friend added: 'It’s been a long road, but James's stance has softened with time.
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Celebrity chef James Martin has quietly rebuilt his fractured relationship with his father after years of bitter estrangement, the Daily Mail can reveal
With James now preparing to tie the knot to girlfriend, Kim Johnson, 39, following reports of a Christmas proposal, there appears to have been an emotional family reconciliation
'The pair of them have slowly rebuilt bridges over the past couple of years. Now they’re able to look forward rather than dwell on the past.
'Both have realised life’s too short to carry on not speaking.'
For years, the chef insisted his father would 'never be a part of his life', following a painful family rift that dated back to his early career.
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He once recalled how Ian dropped him at the station as he set off for London to chase his culinary dreams.
He told how his father, a former catering manager, was less than encouraging as he bid his son goodbye, telling him to 'b****r off'.
Relations broke down in 2008 after James penned several blistering passages in his autobiography Driven, describing his then stepmother - Ian's ex-wife - as 'the ugliest woman I have ever met'.
He portrayed concert pianist Sarah Briggs as a 'wicked stepmother' and claimed that she had burned his childhood toys, baby photos and clothes.
The TV chef, 53, had once vowed never to speak to Ian Martin again following a family rift sparked by explosive claims about his stepmother in his 2008 autobiography
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Ms Briggs secured damages in a libel action, prompting the book to be pulped and re-edited.
She said following the legal case: 'My jaw dropped as I read the extraordinary allegations.
'Apart from James describing me as 'the ugliest woman I'd ever met', something I can't pass comment on in comparison to the circles of beautiful people with whom he now mixes, he had conjured up a painful scene of my burning 'every scrap' of his childhood - 'baby pictures, school reports, toys and clothes'.
'It was graphically depicted, but wholly untrue. I had never destroyed anything belonging to James.'
Ms Briggs divorced Ian, who lives in Slingsby, North Yorkshire, after four years.
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In 2010, James described the pair as too stubborn to ever make up and said 'the only good thing' from the legal action 'was the realisation I would never speak to my father again.'
He told The Sun: 'I haven't spoken to my dad for four years. I've accepted he will never be a part of my life.
'I spent 12 years trying to get on with him. You never knew what was around the corner. It was always something like getting divorced or remarried, or a new woman.
'It was just relentless. I thought, 'I've had enough of this. I'm just going to separate completely'.
Behind the family rift lay twice-divorced Ian’s own turbulent life and career.
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Once a familiar figure on the concert circuit, Ian built a reputation as a colourful promoter whose company staged major events across the country.
At his peak, he worked with acts including Spandau Ballet, José Carreras, the Hallé Orchestra and Shirley Bassey.
But in 2002, Ian’s events business went into liquidation, owing creditors £159,000.
Last year, James revealed that he had made attempts to bury the hatchet with his father.
He recounted to Candis magazine how Ian had attended one of his live shows, prompting an emotional reunion.
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He said: 'I got him a night at the Ritz – I think he was worried he'd have to pick up the bill! – and I took him backstage at the Palladium.
'He couldn't believe his son's name was in lights outside the theatre.'
'When I stepped on stage that evening and stood on the cross below which Bruce Forsyth's ashes are buried, I looked into the audience and the first face I saw was my dad's.
'I held it all together throughout the show but I welled up at the end. I completely lost it. The farmer's kid had made it.'
In contrast to his relationship with his dad, James has always remained very close with his mother Sue, previously saying she was the always the first person he calls for advice and that his priority has always been to take care of her.
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He previously told the Daily Mail in 2016: 'Mum is my biggest fan and the most honest person I know. We talk on the phone two or three times every day.
'You're taught values as a farmer's kid and that includes looking after your family, respecting your elders and staying close to one another.'
The reconciliation comes as James prepares for another major life change.
For years, James has insisted his father would 'never be a part of his life', following a painful family rift that dated back to his early career
The chef, who has been dating personal trainer Kim for two years, is thought to have proposed over Christmas before reportedly gifting his bride-to-be a £150,000 Land Rover.
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Kim appeared to confirm the engagement on Instagram, sharing a snap of one of James’s dishes alongside the caption: “So proud of my fiancé.”
The proposal marks a sharp U-turn for James, who previously insisted marriage held no appeal.
Speaking to the Sunday People in 2019, he said: 'Marriage 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.'
His engagement comes two years after his split from long-term girlfriend Louise Davies, while Kim was previously married to businessman Arun Nayar following his high-profile divorce from Elizabeth Hurley.
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The couple's romance was first revealed when they were spotted shopping for jewellery at Tiffany's in Mayfair back in April last year.
And they appeared to take the next step in their relationship in October, when she moved into his country home in Hampshire.