Actress Lisa Faulkner has warmly praised her husband, celebrity chef John Torode, describing him as her "best mate" as she prepares for a major return to the theatre stage.
A Supportive Partnership
The Holby City star, 53, is set to appear in a new stage adaptation of the psychological thriller Single White Female. She will play Allie, a single mother, opposite Coronation Street's Kym Marsh, 49, who takes on the role of the obsessed roommate Hedy. The play is based on the bestselling 1990s novel and subsequent film.
Speaking to Hello! magazine, Faulkner opened up about her relationship with Torode, 60. "He's my husband and my best mate," she said. "We really do support each other and hold each other's hands through everything. He's such a gentleman and so kind." She revealed that Torode has been actively helping her prepare, running lines with her for the upcoming production.
Mutual Admiration and Career Crossroads
Torode has reciprocated the loving sentiments, telling The Mirror that Lisa is "my rock, my best friend, my love, my wife, a Wonder Woman. Nothing else needs to be said."
This public show of support comes during a professionally challenging period for the chef. He was fired by the BBC from Celebrity MasterChef earlier this year following an allegation of using offensive language in 2018, which he claims to have no recollection of. His exit followed that of co-star Gregg Wallace, who was dismissed over allegations about his on-set behaviour.
Despite ITV initially backing Torode, the future of the couple's cookery show, Weekend Kitchen, is now in doubt. The festive special of its tenth series aired recently, and a source suggested the show, which debuted in 2019, is expensive to produce and faces an uncertain future amid budget cuts.
Focus on the Stage
For Faulkner, the focus is firmly on her theatrical comeback. She is also being supported by close friends Angela Griffin and Amanda Holden, who have a separate WhatsApp group to coordinate their theatre visits without spoiling the surprise for the actress. "I've told them I don't want to know when they're coming," Faulkner explained, noting that spotting them in the audience might throw her off during a performance.
The plot of Single White Female follows a recently divorced mother who takes in a lodger, only for the new roommate to develop a dangerous and sinister obsession.
In a personal reflection on his recent career turmoil, John Torode revealed on Substack that he has been having therapy to cope with the fallout of his sacking. He wrote that it has taught him how to "sit in his grief" and "be real" instead of just trying to "be brave."
