While James enjoyed plenty of gifts from Barabra over the years, he described how her generosity was eventually the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Barbara, who has an estimated net worth of $400 million, had showered him with some incredible presents – including three genuine Picassos.

But when she tried to buy James an £180,000 Aston Martin DBS with the chassis number 007, it all became too much for the British TV chef. 

“It wasn’t as if it was my birthday or Christmas – it was just a spur of the moment thought,” he wrote.