After weeks of headlines, speculation, and behind-the-scenes fallout, MasterChef judge John Torode’s wife Lisa Faulkner has finally broken her silence.
The controversy surrounding the popular TV chef has taken a sharp turn, and now Lisa’s quiet but heartfelt words are adding a new layer to the story.
Quiet Words After a Storm
In a short video posted to Instagram, Lisa—who’s also a TV chef and Torode’s co-host on John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen—offered a subtle but emotional message to fans.
She didn’t dive into the allegations or directly defend her husband, but instead thanked supporters for their kind messages, saying:
“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.”
Her words come after weeks of silence since the news broke that Torode, 59, had been dropped by the BBC following allegations of using a racial slur years ago during drinks with colleagues.
What Sparked the Scandal?
According to The Sun, Torode was allegedly singing Kanye West’s Gold Digger at a work gathering six or seven years ago when he reportedly used the N-word.
The incident reportedly resurfaced after an internal report, with the claim that someone overheard him using the word in a casual conversation with a colleague on the MasterChef set.
That colleague, reportedly not offended at the time, allegedly confirmed Torode apologized after the fact and had used the word “as an example.”
Torode himself says he has “absolutely no recollection” of the incident and insists he never intended to cause harm.
Nonetheless, the BBC concluded that he used “an extremely offensive racist term” and decided not to renew his contract.
BBC Stands Firm Despite Outcry
The BBC has faced mounting pressure over its decision.
It hasn’t publicly named the term Torode is accused of using, but Pointless star Richard Osman publicly claimed it was “the worst racial slur there is” and said the findings were deemed “substantively true” by the investigation.
Despite Torode saying he hasn’t heard directly from the BBC or production company Banijay, he released a statement on Instagram denying the accusations and expressing disbelief about the decision to cut ties with him after two decades.
Fallout from the Gregg Wallace Report
What’s particularly complicated is how Torode’s situation came to light in the first place.
The complaint against him was reportedly part of the same internal investigation that led to fellow MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace’s dismissal.
Wallace, 60, was let go after dozens of complaints about inappropriate behaviour were upheld.
Torode later revealed that he was the unnamed person in the report referred to as having used “racist language.”
Where Does This Leave MasterChef?
With both main presenters now embroiled in controversy, there’s been serious doubt over whether the latest amateur season of MasterChef—filmed last autumn—would even air.
But the BBC has now confirmed the show will be broadcast starting August 6 on BBC One and iPlayer.
That decision hasn’t come lightly. According to insiders, all contestants were consulted beforehand and none objected to the series being shown. However, many changes are being made in light of the findings.
BBC Scales Back Screen Time for Presenters
According to reports, the BBC has asked the MasterChef production team to drastically reduce the amount of screen time both John Torode and Gregg Wallace get in the final edit.
Neither host will appear in promotional material, thumbnails on iPlayer, or do any media interviews for the new series.
A source revealed: “The BBC has made it clear that it should limit the amount of airtime the presenters have… with a bigger focus on the contestants who are at the heart of the competition.”
Not Everyone Is Happy About It
Despite the network’s careful messaging, not everyone is on board with the decision to air the show.
Some former employees and women who came forward with complaints about Wallace say it feels like a betrayal.
One former MasterChef worker told BBC News it would be “a real lack of respect” to air the series, while another said it would “make a mockery” of the people who spoke up.
BBC Says the Focus Is on the Contestants
In their official statement, the BBC acknowledged the difficulty of the decision.
They emphasized that MasterChef is “bigger than any one individual” and that the competition has been life-changing for many of the amateur chefs involved.
“We believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process,” the BBC said.
“The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.”
They also confirmed that a decision has not yet been made about other pre-recorded episodes, including the celebrity edition and Christmas special, which also featured Torode and food critic Grace Dent.
A Show in Crisis Mode
As MasterChef prepares to return to screens, it’s clear this isn’t the same show audiences once knew.
With two of its leading faces now disgraced and largely edited out, the BBC is hoping the talent of its contestants can salvage the series’ reputation.
Still, the fallout from these allegations—especially the racial slur accusation—continues to cast a long shadow.
For now, the focus is on moving forward, but the questions surrounding accountability, memory, and consequences remain deeply unsettled.