John Torode's wife says ‘I don't read anything about us' as she lifts lid on marriage as husband axed from MasterChef
Lisa Faulkner and her TV chef husband met on Celebrity MasterChef 15 years ago.
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They said "I do" in 2019 at a lavish ceremony surrounded by friends and family at Aynhoe Park estate.
The couple are know for their loveable on-screen rapport, but Lisa has also shared some behind-the-scenes secrets.
Speaking to the Mirror, before husband Torode was axed by the BBC, she said: 'I don't read anything about us, I certainly don't have Google alerts set up or anything.
"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.'
Torode was sacked from MasterChef after 20 years last week for allegedly using the N-word twice.
We reported yesterday how he repeated lyrics from rapper Kanye West's hit Gold Digger, which contain the racial slur, at an after-work gathering six or seven years ago.
Torode, 59, is said to have used the word again while chatting to a pal on the BBC show's production team.
Richard Osman, ex-host on BBC quiz show Pointless, said Torode had used 'the worst racial slur' and the allegations were 'watertight'.
Torode, who vehemently denies ever using the N-word, is 'utterly devastated' by the accusations.
'We'll never work with him again', blast BBC as Gregg Wallace report reveals 'substantial' allegations over 19 YEARS
He was fired this week after an investigation by the Beeb and production company Banijay.
Torode allegedly used the word a second time when speaking to a member of the production team — who was a friend and did not take offence.
The person who raised the complaint on that occasion is understood to have overheard the conversation.
And his production pal reckoned Torode only used the slur as an 'example' and 'apologised afterwards'.
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Those close to Torode said he denies ever using the N-word, whether in song lyrics or otherwise.
Wife Lisa has been supporting the 59-year-old amid the investigation - which also saw former co-host Gregg Wallace sacked for inappropriate behaviour.
The former EastEnders actress, who has an 18-year-old daughter, has joined Torode in the TV industry once again.
The couple are working on John And Lisa's Weekend Kitchen for ITV.
The pair have also crafted several cook books, and have a spin-off series in the pipeline.
Speaking on how they manage their time with each other Lisa said working apart is still important, and makes re-uniting even more special.
The mum-of-one said everything is about balance but one of their best connections is through food - of course.
And at the moment, she's busy planning a spectacular 60th birthday bash for Torode to mark the occasion.
The family are hoping to block out the recent drama that swirled around them on a trip to Cornwall.
Their beloved dog Rory will also be accompanying them on the holiday.
Lisa's love for her four-legged friend has seen her become the ambassador for Bella+Duke, a raw food company for pets.
The TV personality also touched on how Rory has helped her mental health, when everything is "not always rainbows and sunshine".
She explained how much of a positive impact walking had on her daily routine.
MASTERCHEF SCANDAL
Lisa's comments come as sources close to the family claim Torode is "utterly devastated" and "just wants to clear his name".
Aussie-born Torode was only spoken to by a representative from legal firm Lewis Silkin at the end of June as part of the inquiry into his MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace.
A source added: 'One of the allegations is that he said the N-word while repeating Kanye's Gold Digger song during a gathering with his colleagues when filming had ended. John is adamant he would never have used the N-word and only knows the radio version of the song which says, 'Now I ain't sayin' she a gold digger, but she ain't messin' with no broke, broke'. The clean version of the song is the only one he knows.
'The person who raised the complaint didn't say anything at the time. So John only found out a few weeks ago that this issue had been raised.
'This has hit him like a ton of bricks as he does not recall it.
'He insists he would never have repeated the N-word in those lyrics because he only knows the radio edit of that song.'
Of the second allegation, a source close to Torode said he did not recall using the N-word.
The source added: 'John is adamant he would never use this word while speaking to anyone.
'The person he is alleged to have said this to didn't complain, it was someone who overheard it.
'In fact he was close to the person he is supposed to have said it to and they got on very well while working together.
'Even the person who John was supposedly having the overheard conversation with said he had mentioned the word in reference and apologised straight away.
MASTERCHEF SCANDAL TIMELINE
2005 to 2011: Problems with MasterChef began way back in the mid-2000s, with 27 substantiated claims made against host Gregg Wallace regarding alleged incidents in this period, according to a report by law firm Lewis Silkin.
Most of these were related to sexually explicit comments, although one allegation of unwanted physical contact in this period was also substantiated.
The same report found there was a failure by the production company to retain records of any actions taken during this time.
2012 to 2018: Another 17 allegations were upheld from this period, according to the report.
The production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace's behaviour in 2015 - but he was not made aware of the complaint.
In 2016, the production company merged with Endemol, introducing more formal policies as well as regular training and anonymous reporting lines.
The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, after which Wallace was then warned to change his behaviour.
2019 to 2024: One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment was from this time period.
November 2024: Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a 17-year period on a range of TV shows.
He steps away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay - the show's production company - announces it will conduct an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims against him.
Some of these allegations included Wallace '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'.
Banijay UK also confirms it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour.
December 2024: Wallace posts a video on Instagram which claims accusations against him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from 'middle-class women of a certain age'.
His remarks are widely panned as "inappropriate and misogynistic', causing Wallace to apologise for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his remarks, saying he will 'take some time out'.
Co-host John Torode says he 'loves being part of' the show and 'will continue to be a part of it'.
July 8 to 9, 2025: Wallace is sacked as MasterChef presenter following an enquiry into his alleged misconduct by Banijay.
In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him, ahead of the published review.
He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language was inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this.
July 14, 2025: Lewis Silkin publishes its report, on behalf of Banijay.
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 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 says that 'Wallace's return to MasterChef (is) untenable'.
July 15, 2025: Co-host Torode is sacked after allegedly making a racist remark while on the show.
BBC bosses axe the TV host and slam an "extremely offensive" term, which was raised in the bombshell report into Gregg Wallace's "inappropriate behaviour".
Torode says the comment - which the report attributed to an unnamed person - referred to him, but added: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.'
The Aussie-born chef was only spoken to by a representative from legal firm Lewis Silkin at the end of June as part of the inquiry into his MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace.
A source added: 'One of the allegations is that he said the N-word while repeating Kanye's Gold Digger song during a gathering with his colleagues when filming had ended. John is adamant he would never have used the N-word and only knows the radio version of the song which says, 'Now I ain't sayin' she a gold digger, but she ain't messin' with no broke, broke'. The clean version of the song is the only one he knows.
'The person who raised the complaint didn't say anything at the time. So John only found out a few weeks ago that this issue had been raised.
'This has hit him like a ton of bricks as he does not recall it.
'He insists he would never have repeated the N-word in those lyrics because he only knows the radio edit of that song.'
Of the second allegation, a source close to Torode said he did not recall using the N-word.
The source added: 'John is adamant he would never use this word while speaking to anyone.
'The person he is alleged to have said this to didn't complain, it was someone who overheard it.
'In fact he was close to the person he is supposed to have said it to and they got on very well while working together.
'Even the person who John was supposedly having the overheard conversation with said he had mentioned the word in reference and apologised straight away.
'But John has said he cannot recall the conversation and he would never use the N-word. He knows it is unacceptable and says he would never have said it.
'During his meeting John was in disbelief because he insisted he would never have used that word.'
Those close to Torode also criticised the BBC's handling of his departure, with his representatives only being made aware his contract wasn't being renewed after the BBC press office released a statement.
A source added: 'John is devastated by all of this. He is being supported by his wife Lisa and friends. They're keeping him close because he has really been struggling.
'John abhors this kind of language and does not recall ever reciting a racist slur in a lyric, or directing one to someone he considered a friend at work.
'He adored MasterChef. It was a huge part of his life. To have it all ending like this is awful.'
Torode's celeb friends have also publicly spoken out on his behalf.
Piers Morgan tweeted: 'Salem wants its witch trials back.'
Media personality Christine Hamilton, a Celebrity MasterChef finalist, said: 'John Torode is one of the nicest, kindest guys I've ever met. His sacking by the vile BBC is deeply unjust and shows how deeply entrenched is their wokeism.'
Richard Osman, who has also hosted BBC quiz show Pointless, said on his podcast yesterday: 'He used, I think, probably the worst racial slur there is and they found that to be substantively true.
'They found evidence they were happy with. He said that he couldn't remember it. But that one was upheld.'
Pointless is also part of Banijay UK's portfolio. Banijay declined to comment.
Wallace, 60, was officially sacked this week by the BBC and Banijay after an independent investigation was carried out into allegations of bad behaviour on the show between 2005 and 2024.
A total of 45 out of 83 allegations were upheld.
The majority were inappropriate sexual language.
One related to unwanted touching.
The Sun revealed that the final MasterChef series, with Wallace and Torode as hosts, will air 'once the dust has settled'.
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