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John Torode’s wife Lisa Faulkner has thanked fans for their kind words after the MasterChef star was axed for allegedly using a racist slur.
The TV presenter and chef, 60, was removed from the cooking competition alongside his co-host Gregg Wallace, also 60, earlier this month.
Wallace stepped away from MasterChef in November last year while an in-depth investigation was conducted into the historical allegations regarding his behaviour on the show.
It was found that 45 out of 83 allegations were upheld following the investigation. Wallace said he was ‘deeply sorry’ for his past actions but insisted that the most serious allegations were unproven.
Shortly afterwards it emerged that co-host Torode’s contract would also not be renewed after nine complaints were lodged against him. Among these was a claim that he ‘used the N-word’ on two separate occasions, which he said he has no memory of.
Now, taking to Instagram, Torode’s wife Lisa has made her first public statement.
The 53-year-old former actress, who has had roles in Brookside, Holby City, and EastEnders, filmed herself from what appears to be her garden.
She said: ‘Hi there, I just wanted to check in and say hello and I’m here.
‘Just thank you for all your really lovely comments because they really mean a lot, so thank you.’
Lisa, who now presents and does home cooking on her social media, met Torode in 2010 when she won Celebrity MasterChef.
Despite both of them being married to other people at the time, their friendship blossomed into a relationship, with Torode reportedly winning her over with a love letter.
After marrying in 201,9 the pair went on to work with each other on various cooking shows.
Lisa’s comments come after Torode was spotted looking glum in his first public outing since the Silkins report.
He was seen on his 60th birthday on July 23 visiting an organic food store near his home in north London.
The sighting came after Wallace told The Sun he has unfollowed both Torode and Lisa on social media.
Speaking about Torode in his first interview since being sacked, Wallace said: ‘We never really did get on that well.
‘We’re two very, very different characters. But we made bloody good telly together for 20 years.’
Despite the findings of the investigation, the BBC confirmed that the series of MasterChef filmed before Wallace and Torode’s sackings will air as normal despite it featuring both presenters.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6.
‘MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.’
The spokesperson revealed that it had ‘not been an easy decision in the circumstances’ and acknowledged that not everyone would agree with the final result.
They added: ‘In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters.
‘We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.’
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