Brian Turner has revealed how Saturday Morning DJ James Martin helped him after he suffered a stroke last year.
The chefs have featured on the show multiple times together, as well as on Saturday Kitchen, which James formerly helmed from 2006 until 2016.
Brian, 76, returned to his buddy and colleague programme earlier this year and revealed a significant health concern.
‘Unfortunately I had a stroke in June last year, and the people at the London hospital were fantastic and helpful,’ he said, before explaining that his speech might be affected as a result.
‘So excuse me if I make a stammer occasionally,’ he added while appearing on the show in January.
Brian has now stated how important James’ and the public’s support has been in his recuperation.
‘It was fantastic. I get emotional, James Martin has been an absolute brick,’ he said.
‘It was helpful that James was there to help me, not to be trusted entirely on my own in the kitchen yet but I’m slowly but surely getting used to a kitchen.
‘The whole hospitality family has been really, really supportive but James has particularly been strong and helpful,’ he added when speaking to Express.co.uk.
Brian reflected on how the two had become such good friends, revealing that they first met when James was just eight years old.
‘I was doing a gourmet weekend near Whitby and his father [Ian Martin] was jointly doing the dinner and speaking about the wines. He brought James along and James was in the kitchen,’ he said.
‘When he was older, about 16 or 17, I met him again because I judged his college diploma before he graduated and then when he came down to London we would meet regularly.
‘Then of course we did Ready Steady Cook and all those shows together, so he has been a great friend and a great help to me.’
Brian was supported by James when he made the announcement of his stroke on the radio.
‘I love you fella, so round of applause for all the people who’ve been looking after you. And it’s a pleasure to have you back,’ James said.
The two then clapped in appreciation of the hospital personnel who had assisted in his treatment.
James Martin’s Saturday Morning is streaming on ITVX.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
The NHS outlines that the symptoms of a stroke can be remembered by using the acronym FAST, which stands for Face, Arms, Speech and Time.
When an individual suffers a stroke, they may not be able to smile, their face may have dropped to one side or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
They may not be able to lift both of their arms and keep them up, as one of their arms could be feeling weak or numb.
They may exhibit slurred or unclear speech, or be unable to talk at all and have difficulty understanding if someone else is speaking to them.
People are urged to call 999 if any of these symptoms are spotted.
Source My Celebrity Life.