Speaking at the fraud trial of his former PAs in Isleworth Crown Court today, the 70-year-old millionaire said:
'I adore Nigella now. I absolutely adore Nigella and I'm broken-hearted to have lost her', before telling the jury that he ‘wished this year had never happened’.
Giving evidence against sisters Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, accused of spending £685,000 on Mr Saatchi's company credit cards over a 4-year period, the art dealer admitted he did not actually know whether claims 53-year-old Nigella was a ‘habitual drug users’ were true.
The father-of-one seemed to backtrack on an email he had sent in October, which was shared in court, reading:
'Nigella, I was sent these by a newspaper and I can only laugh at your sorry depravity.
'Of course now the Grillos will get off on the basis that you... were so off your heads on drugs that you allowed the sisters to spend whatever they liked and yes I believe every word the Grillos have said, who after all only stole money.'
The email went on: 'But I'm sure it was all great fun and now everything is perfect - bravo, you have become a celebrity hostess on a global TV game show. And you got the Pass you desired, free to heartily enjoy all the drugs you want, forever. Classy.'
Addressing the court, Saatchi admitted:
'If you ask me whether I actually knew whether Nigella ever took drugs, the answer is no.
‘I'm utterly bereft that this private email to Nigella has come back to haunt us both. That's all I have to say.’
Nigella Lawson is expected to give evidence in the trial next Wednesday.