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 Amid Career Moves
The Holby City star, 53, is set to appear in a 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 1990s film and John Lutz's bestselling novel.
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 the MasterChef star has been actively supporting her preparation, running lines with her for the upcoming performance.
Torode reciprocated the loving sentiment in comments to the Mirror, calling Faulkner "my rock, my best friend, my love, my wife, a Wonder Woman." He added, "Nothing else needs to be said."
Friends, First Nights, and Professional Uncertainty
Faulkner also has the support of close friends Angela Griffin and Amanda Holden, who have created a separate WhatsApp group to plan their theatre visits covertly. "I've told them I don't want to know when they're coming," Faulkner explained, concerned that spotting them in the audience might break her concentration. She plans to check for their presence only after the curtain falls.
This exciting career move for Faulkner comes during a challenging period for the couple's joint professional endeavours. Their ITV cookery show, Weekend Kitchen, which debuted in 2019—the same year they married—is reportedly facing the axe. This follows Torode's dismissal from the BBC's Celebrity MasterChef earlier this year.
An allegation surfaced regarding Torode's use of "extremely offensive racist language in 2018," which he claims to have "no recollection of." His exit came weeks after co-star Gregg Wallace, 61, was also dismissed over allegations about his on-set behaviour.
Although ITV initially backed Torode, a source suggested the future of Weekend Kitchen is now uncertain following its tenth series finale last week. "Budgets are being slashed and the show is expensive to make," the source told The Sun, noting it would be a "major blow" to the chef.
Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges
In the wake of his sacking, John Torode has been candid about seeking therapy to cope with the fallout. In a post on Substack, he wrote that "life has changed for ever for me and for those close to me," and that therapy had helped him learn to "sit in his grief" and "be real" instead of just "brave."
He described attending the Qatar Grand Prix as his first attempt at "facing my grief alone" without his wife's immediate support. Meanwhile, he is focusing on new projects, including a well-received YouTube cooking show.
As Lisa Faulkner steps back into the theatrical spotlight in Single White Female—a story about a lodger arrangement that spirals into sinister obsession—the couple continue to navigate their professional futures with a notably strong personal partnership at the core.
