James Martin has fuelled speculation he will take over the 'Top Gear' presenting duties.
James Martin
The 44-year-old television personality is top of the list to replace Chris Evans on the BBC Two show and whilst he is still denying he is being lined up for the job, he revealed he would have put a bet on himself if the odds were better.
He said: "Apparently I'm the bookies' favourite. I walked past a bookies in Leeds and saw my name on there, and I thought, 'What the hell's going on there?' I was top of the list. But the phone hasn't rung yet ...
"I know that's the rumour, but I don't know where I'm going to fit it in. I can't even put a bet on myself now because you lot [the press] have made the odds even! I enjoy my cars and I like the collecting of them, but 'Top Gear' is a really tough show - it's a different ball game."
The chef - who was at the helm of 'Saturday Kitchen' for 10 years - is currently presenting 'This Morning' with Anita Rani and admits the criticism from the public has been a "rude awakening" for him.
He told The Sun's TV Magazine: "It's certainly been a rude awakening for me. All of a sudden I've been slagged off left, right and centre. Unfortunately, on social media now, people feel they can say whatever they want and there's not a lot I can do about it.
"But I've had enough s**t thrown at me in my life - in all manner of different things - to worry about it, so it doesn't bother me. All I can do with any programme is be honest, stay true to myself and work my a**e off. And when you consider that I'm severely dyslexic ... I've never read a book in my life - so reading a script is hard. I've got so much to worry about with This Morning, so let me get that out of the way before I make a decision on anything else."
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