John Torode and Celebrity MasterChef winner Lisa Faulkner tied the knot in 2019 and are set to star in an ITV series together later this year

John Torode’s wife Lisa Faulkner has broken her online silence in the wake of her husband’s sacking from MasterChef. It was announced that Torode’s contract on the BBC series would not be renewed following a historic allegation of racism.

In a video shared on her Instagram Stories this evening, the actress told fans: “Hi there, 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. So thank you.”

Faulkner, 53, tied the knot with Torode in 2019. It is the second marriage for both stars, with the former Holby City actress previously with Chris Coghill, known for his role as Tony King in ‘EastEnders’, with whom she shares an adopted daughter named Billie.

Lisa shared a video to her Instagram thanking her fans
Torode’s former spouse is a woman named Jessica, and together they share two children. The former MasterChef star, 59, is also a father to two older children from a previous relationship.

Faulkner and Torode first crossed paths when Lisa competed on Celebrity MasterChef’ in 2010, striking up a solid friendship that eventually blossomed into romance. The pair clicked right away, maintaining their friendship post-filming, but Lisa maintains there was no initial romantic spark.

“He was a judge on a show I loved and I was petrified of him.He was brilliant and gave us all tips so you didn’t want to let him down,” she recalled.

“All I could think was, ‘That sauce hasn’t worked’. I didn’t see anything but food for three months. After I won, we did The Good Food Show and stuff. John and I always got on, but I never thought about me and him.”

Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed, the BBC and production company Banijay UK confirmed. Australian-born Torode, 59, started presenting MasterChef alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005.

Lisa shared a short clip on her Instagram account
Torode confirmed he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into the alleged behaviour of his co-presenter Wallace.

A statement from Banijay UK said: “In response to John Torode’s statement, it is important to stress that Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously. 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.

“This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint. Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”

The Lewis Silkin report, commissioned by Banijay UK, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated, alongside two standalone allegations made against other people, including one for using racist language.

Torode confirmed he was the person alleged to have used racist language but said he had “no recollection of the incident” and was “shocked and saddened” by the allegation.

A BBC spokesperson said: “John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. This allegation – which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace- was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm, Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation.

“He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.

“The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously. We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”

Despite Torode’s MasterChef axe, he has still appeared on screens with Lisa for their own TV show. A source close to ITV confirmed to the Mirror their schedules for John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen ‘remain unchanged’ despite John’s sacking from MasterChef.