Lisa Faulkner shares true feelings over John Torode amid ‘challenging times’

Actress and TV presenter Lisa Faulkner has opened up about her husband John Torode following his departure from MasterChef, calling him an ‘amazing man’ and expressing her love and support

Lisa Faulkner has spoken candidly about her husband John Torode during what she describes as “challenging times”, following his exit from MasterChef after 20 years on the BBC programme.

Speaking to The Times in a wide-ranging interview, the actress and television presenter was asked how life at home has been since Torode’s departure from the show earlier this year.

“These are challenging times, but I have the most amazing husband. He’s an amazing man,” Faulkner said.

Torode’s time on MasterChef came to an end in July after allegations emerged that he had used an “extremely offensive racial slur” in 2018. While he has stated that he has no recollection of the incident and does not believe it took place, he ultimately accepted the broadcaster’s decision.

He has since spoken publicly about the emotional impact of the abrupt departure, describing it as “unexpected and brutal”, reports the Mirror.

Although the controversy has inevitably thrust their personal lives further into the spotlight, Lisa made it clear she would not be drawn into discussing the situation in detail.

When pressed about the atmosphere at home and whether there was a sense of anger or acceptance, she said: “It’s not my story to tell, it’s not my place.”

Instead, she chose to focus on expressing her feelings for her husband, adding: “I love my husband with all my heart – he is a fantastic, gentle, brilliant and kind man.”

The couple’s personal and professional lives have been intertwined for many years. Faulkner won Celebrity MasterChef in 2010, after which Torode wrote to her asking if she would like to go on a date.

They married in 2019 and have since become familiar faces on screen together, fronting programmes including ITV’s John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen.

There has been speculation that the show could be discontinued in 2026, though Faulkner has made clear that no final decision has been taken.

Beyond television, the pair have also launched a new joint venture, creating a YouTube cooking channel filmed in their own kitchen, where they share what they describe as reliable, family-style recipes.

Meanwhile, Faulkner is embarking on a significant new chapter in her own career, returning to the stage for the first time in 21 years as she tours a stage adaptation of Single White Female.