An image heating apparatus has a first rotatable member contacting a second rotatable member, wherein the recording material bearing the image passes through a nip portion formed at a position between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member; a heater for heating the first rotatable member, the heater having a third rotatable member that is flexible and a temperature detecting element, wherein the third rotatable member contacts an outer peripheral surface of the first rotatable member and the temperature detecting element is provided in an area of an inside surface said third rotatable member, wherein the first rotatable member and the third rotatable member contact; and a controller for controlling the heater based on detecting the temperature of said temperature detecting element.