Lisa Faulkner has made rare comments about her marriage to husband John Torode amid the MasterChef star’s recent sacking over claims he used a racist term.
The actress opened up on their 10-year relationship in a new interview, conducted prior to the BBC show’s producers Banijay UK announcing John’s contract would not be renewed after the allegation – which he denied.
Speaking to The Mirror, Lisa, 53, gave a rare insight into their marriage as she said she doesn’t read the news about them and doesn’t understand the interest in their romance.
She remarked: ‘I honestly have no idea about why there’s such interest. I don’t read anything about us, I certainly don’t have Google alerts set up or anything.’
The couple have been in a relationship since 2015 after having got better acquainted during Lisa’s stint on Celebrity MasterChef in 2010, which she went on to win.
They tied the knot in October 2019 in a romantic ceremony in Aynhoe Park, Oxfordshire.
Lisa Faulkner has made rare comments about her marriage to husband John Torode amid the MasterChef star’s recent sacking over claims he used a racist term
![In a new interview, conducted prior to Banijay's report into allegations against John [pictured], 59, the actress, 53, opened up on their relationship, noting that she doesn't read any news about them](https://publiko.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1752915420_286_Lisa-Faulkner-makes-rare-comments-about-husband-John-Torode-and.jpg)
In a new interview, conducted prior to Banijay’s report into allegations against John [pictured], 59, the actress, 53, opened up on their relationship, noting that she doesn’t read any news about them
Speaking further on the public interest in the couple, Lisa continued: ‘The closest I’ve come to it is probably at food shows or when people stop us in the street and say, ”Oh we love you two”, or that they love the shows. Maybe it’s because we genuinely have a lovely relationship?’
Giving a further insight on the key to the strength of their relationship, the TV star shared the secret to their successful marriage.
‘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,’ she added.
Lisa also revealed what it is like working with her husband on their joint ITV show John And Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen.
Describing the balance, Lisa said they ensure they’re ‘not in each other’s pockets’, making sure they have a ‘nice catch up’ amid their downtime.
Her remarks came before it was confirmed that ITV would continue to broadcast the tenth series of their ITV cookery show following John’s BBC axing from MasterChef.
MailOnline have contacted Lisa’s representatives for further comment.
John has made headlines in recent days after reports claimed the BBC sacked John after he allegedly ‘used the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song’.
‘I honestly have no idea about why there’s such interest. I don’t read anything about us, I certainly don’t have Google alerts set up or anything’
On the key to their romance, she added: ‘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’
The MasterChef host was reportedly singing the rapper’s hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly ‘caught using the racist term during after work drinks six or seven years ago’.
The Sun claimed John used the word again whilst chatting to a friend on the MasterChef production team, who didn’t take offence.
The Australian-born chef has insisted ‘he had absolutely no recollection’ of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago.
The person who raised the complaint is understood to have ‘overheard the conversation’.
The production pal allegedly backed John and said he only used the racial slur as an ‘example’ and ‘apologised afterwards’.
MailOnline contacted BBC and John’s representatives at the time for comment.
A witness told investigators he had apologised immediately, ‘was mortified’ and ‘didn’t use the term as a slur’ in 2018.
The BBC said on Tuesday that John’s contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an ‘extremely offensive racist term’ during an evening out after filming the show.
It comes as new reports have claimed the BBC sacked John after he allegedly ‘used the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song’
The MasterChef host was reportedly singing the rapper’s hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly ‘caught using the racist term during after work drinks six or seven years ago’
The corporation has refused to say what the racist term was – as has John, who has claimed he did ‘not believe that it happened’.
But it was later described as the ‘worst racial slur there is’ by Pointles host Richard Osman.
He added of the investigation: ‘They found that to be substantively true. They found evidence that they were happy with – that that was true.’
On Thursday, The Times claimed two people ‘close to the report’ alleged that John had used the N-word. There has also been feverish speculation online for days that this was the slur he allegedly used.
John has left MasterChef after the allegation of using racist language was upheld against him.
He faced nine allegations of poor behaviour between 2012 and 2019.
Investigators said of the other eight that two could not be substantiated and there was insufficient evidence in the remaining six.
The Australian-born chef has insisted ‘he had absolutely no recollection’ of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago
John took to Instagram on Tuesday night after the BBC said he would no longer be hosting MasterChef
John and Gregg (both pictured) will not be returning to MasterChef
One insider told MailOnline on Thursday that there was ‘relief’ at MasterChef HQ that John is gone, saying he was ‘horrible’ to work with at times .
A third source claimed they had found him to be a ‘very rude and patronising man’.
John said this week, after his sacking, in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram: ‘Although I haven’t heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I’ve been ‘sacked’ from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I’m accused of.’
It was also claimed the BBC and Banijay had asked John to leave MasterChef citing mental health problems.
The BBC declined to comment on the claims.
Meanwhile, ITV are standing by under fire John, despite his BBC axing from MasterChef following an allegation of racism.
Sources at ITV have told the MailOnline that it will continue to broadcast the tenth series of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen as scheduled on Saturday.
Sources at ITV have told the MailOnline that it will continue to broadcast the tenth series of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen as scheduled on Saturday
The much-loved cookery show, which launched in 2019, features John and his wife Lisa as they showcase their favourite recipes.
An ITV source said: ‘There is no change to the ITV schedule and John and Lisa’s Weekends will be broadcast as usual and will continue to air for the next three weeks.’
It means the third episode of the 10th series of the show will be broadcast on ITV1 at 11.40am on Saturday.
There are also plans for the broadcaster to welcome John back later in the year with John & Lisa’s Christmas Kitchen in December.
