Lisa Faulkner reveals secret to marriage with John Torode amid MasterChef drama

Metro

12 hours ago

Lisa Faulkner has given a rare insight into her marriage with John Torode as the TV chef continues to make headlines after being sacked from MasterChef.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Torode's contract with the BBC cookery programme had not been renewed, with an investigation upholding a complaint that he used 'extremely offensive' racist language.
Torode, 59, who began hosting the programme in 2005 alongside Gregg Wallace, has said he has 'no recollection' of using the term, with the incident alleged to have taken place in 2018 or 2019.
Meanwhile, his co-star Wallace, 60, has also been axed after several allegations of misconduct—one involving 'unwelcome physical contact'—were upheld by the probe commissioned by production company Banijay and carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin.
Speaking ahead of her husband's career drama coming to a head, Faulkner, 53, who co-hosts Weekend Kitchen on ITV with him, shared what she believes is the secret to their long relationship.
Faulkner met Torode on Celebrity MasterChef 15 years ago, tying the knot in 2019 at the 17th-century country estate Aynhoe Park. While they do not have children together, Torode has four kids from previous marriages, and Faulkner adopted a daughter with her ex-husband.
Despite being in the public eye, though, the former EastEnders actress doesn't understand why people are so intrigued about her and Torode's home life.
In an interview with The Mirror before the BBC investigation findings were published, she laughed: 'I honestly have no idea about why there's such interest.'
Suggesting that she's also been steering clear of recent stories, she added: 'I don't read anything about us; I certainly don't have Google alerts set up or anything.
'The closest I've come to it is probably at food shows or when people stop us in the street and say, 'Oh, we love you two,' or that they love the shows.'
Divulging what's helped keep their six-year marriage alive, Faulkner added: 'Maybe it's because we genuinely have a lovely relationship? We have a bit of banter, but it's never sniping at each other.
'We're just kind to each other, we get on, and we look out for each other.'
The TV star couple have worked together for several years now, whether it be on screen or behind it.
Faulkner stressed the importance of creating a balance between their work and personal lives, helped by the fact that they aren't 'in each other's pockets', which she acknowledges would make their relationship 'very different'.
'We have so much to do separately, and we film about 10 episodes of our show in nine days, so it's not really that much time together!', she admitted.
'It's really nice to actually catch up on holidays or when we're working together.'
Torode returned to TV screens this weekend for the first time since he was let go from MasterChef.
Weekend Kitchen, which has aired for nine series thus far, sees the spouses invite guests to prepare simple dishes and share top tips with viewers.
As Saturday morning's episode got underway, neither Torode nor Faulkner explicitly addressed latest headlines in a bid to keep things moving.
'Hi there, we are so happy to see you in our Weekend Kitchen,' Faulkner opened the show.
Torode added: 'We're gonna make your day even happier.
'How do you like the sound of stunning but simple recipes with just homemade ingredients?'
Since Weekend Kitchen airs on ITV, its future had initially been thrown into uncertainty given Torode's now fraught relationship with the BBC.
However, it appears the network is standing by him for the time being, as an insider said a matter of days ago: 'I think we will keep going with the show,' said the source. 'We don't know the details of the BBC issue and have never had any trouble with him ourselves.'
The source added: 'We obviously have our own complaints handling procedure and a code of conduct for talent at ITV.
'There have been no issues raised with John, so the series is set to continue to air.'
After it emerged that an investigation was underway into possible use of racist language, Torode confirmed that he was the person accused, but insisted in a statement that he 'doesn't believe it happened'.
He wrote on social media at the time: 'For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.'
The presenter added that the person allegedly present when the comment was made 'did not believe it was intended in a malicious way' and that he 'apologised immediately afterwards'.
Then, once news broke that Torode would not be returning to MasterChef, he issued a further response, claiming to have learned of his sacking via media reports.
A report by law firm Lewis Silkin found there were 27 substantiated claims against Wallace relating to alleged incidents during this period, most of which related to sexually explicit comments.
One allegation of unwanted physical contact during this timeframe was also substantiated.
The report found that when concerns were reported to the production company during this period, there was a failure to retain records of any action taken.
The report found that 17 upheld allegations relate to this period.
In 2015, the production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace's behaviour, but he was not made aware of the complaint.
The following year, the production company merged with Endemol, and more formal policies, regular training, and anonymous reporting lines were introduced.
The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, following which Wallace was warned of the need to change his behaviour.
One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment fell into this period.
Wallace faced allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a range of shows over 17 years, BBC News reported.
The TV star stepped away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay, the show's production company, announced that it was conducting an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims.
BBC News said allegations include the presenter 'talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to "give her a fashion show", and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans'.
The charity Ambitious About Autism said it had dropped Wallace as an ambassador, citing the 'recent allegations'.
Banijay UK confirmed it appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour.
Wallace said in a video posted to Instagram that accusations about him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from 'middle-class women of a certain age'.
Downing Street said Wallace's response to the accusations being made against him was 'inappropriate and misogynistic'.
A spokesperson added that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row.
Following the backlash, Wallace apologised for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his remarks and said he would 'take some time out'.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said politicians should be ready to put in place 'mechanisms' that would instil 'confidence' that women will be taken seriously in reports of inappropriate behaviour after a Labour MP asked him about 'women of a certain age', reflecting comments Wallace apologised for.
MasterChef co-presenter John Torode said in a social media post that he 'loves being part of' the programme and 'will continue to be a part of it'.
Wallace told the Daily Mail he 'thought about suicide all the time' after allegations of misconduct were made against him.
Wallace was sacked as MasterChef presenter following the inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay.
BBC News said it had not seen the final review from Banijay but understood the presenter had been sacked.
In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' ahead of the published review.
He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language were inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this.
The report by law firm Lewis Silkin for Banijay is published.
It says that a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of 'unwelcome physical contact'.
It concludes that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour', adding that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated'.
In the wake of the report's findings, Banijay say that 'Wallace's return to MasterChef (is) untenable'.
He also reiterated that he could not recall being racist.
On leaving MasterChef behind after two decades, he added that Celebrity MasterChef and two Christmas specials, which he recently filmed, 'will be [his] last'. It remains to be seen whether they will make it to air.
He went on: 'Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else. For whoever takes over, love it as I have. More Trending
'I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards. My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been.'
As for the BBC, the bosses have refused to share exact details of what Torode has been accused of saying.
But, during an interview with BBC News on Tuesday, BBC director-general Tim Davie said that while he was not directly involved with the matter, he was told of the recommendation to not renew Torode's contract and felt 'happy that the team were taking action'.
Torode and Wallace's replacements are yet to be announced, but current favourites for the gig are Matt Tebbutt, 51, and Andi Oliver, 62.
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