John Torode’s wife has broken her silence after the cooking star was sacked from MasterChef this week.
It was confirmed this week by the BBC and production company Banijay UK that the 59-year-old’s contract on the popular show will not be renewed.
Australian-born Torode started presenting MasterChef alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005.
On Monday night, 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.
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John Torode with fellow MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace. (Image: PA Wire)
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 have agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him.
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Lisa Faulkner and John Torode. (Image: Ian West / PA)
“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.”
Now Mr Tordode’s wife, actress Lisa Faulkner, has spoken for the first time since her husband’s sacking.
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The couple married in 2019, tying the knot at Oxfordshire’s Aynhoe Park near Banbury.
Speaking to The Mirror, the 53-year-old revealed that she does not read the news about herself or Mr Torode.
“I honestly have no idea about why there’s such interest,” said Lisa.
“I don’t read anything about us, I certainly don’t have Google alerts set up or anything.
“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?”