'Big mistake!' James Martin full of regret over opening up about Barbara Broccoli romance

express.co.uk:

He said: “It was a big mistake.“I stupidly didn’t listen to people, but I won’t be doing that again.“I know now that you don’t sell your story. “My industry is based on what I do, not who I am," the chef added in unearthed book quotes, which were previously serialised by MailOnline.James first met Barbara in 2001, and the filmmaker, now 61, is 12 years James’ senior.

She bid £18,000 for James to cook for her at the time. James was 29 when they met, and visited her Chelsea home to cater for her dinner party.

He wrote later: “The meal was hilarious, and we just clicked.” In spite of their romance not being a quick fling, their lives were too different.

The pair decided to call it quits in 2006. James also explained that he would often feel starstruck when out with Barbara. He would frequently find himself in the presence of A-listers such as Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman, which he said made him nervous.