Lisa Faulkner has broken her silence after her husband John Torode was sacked from MasterChef following an upheld allegation of using racist language. In a video shared on Instagram Stories, the actress thanked fans for their support, saying: 'I just wanted to check in and say hello. I’m here and just thank you for all your lovely comments because they really, really mean a lot.'
Faulkner, 53, married Torode in 2019. The couple first met when she competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2010, where she recalled being 'petrified' of the judge. Their friendship later blossomed into romance. Faulkner has an adopted daughter, Billie, from a previous marriage to actor Chris Coghill.
Torode, 59, confirmed he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of an independent review by law firm Lewis Silkin. The review, commissioned by production company Banijay UK, found 45 out of 83 allegations against co-presenter Gregg Wallace were substantiated, alongside two standalone allegations, including one against Torode.
A statement from Banijay UK said: 'The legal team at Lewis Silkin that investigated the allegations relating to Gregg Wallace also substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.'
Torode said he has 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. A BBC spokesperson stressed the corporation takes the finding 'extremely seriously' and will not tolerate racist language. Despite his MasterChef exit, Torode and Faulkner's ITV show 'John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen' will continue as scheduled.
