John Torode, who co-hosted BBC's MasterChef for two decades, is reportedly thriving in a new, lucrative phase of his career alongside his wife, Lisa Faulkner, with their YouTube cooking channel. Launched eight months ago, "John and Lisa's Kitchen & Home" has garnered over 1.2 million views, with some sources suggesting the venture is a "sod you" to the BBC after Torode's dismissal from the popular cooking competition.
Torode, 61, and Faulkner, 54, present a more relaxed and personal style on their YouTube channel, cooking from their home kitchen in Muswell Hill, London. Viewers have responded positively to their on-screen chemistry, with one commenter noting, "Love it! Lisa's cheeky innuendos that John never gets, but we get the camera wink eye from Lisa!" The couple have also launched a cookware range, J&L, with high street chain ProChef, and are reportedly working on a second cookbook.
Their success on YouTube, coupled with advertising revenue and other side projects, is said to be earning Torode more than his MasterChef salary. Advertisers, including HSBC and Monzo banks, have begun running campaigns on their pages. Sources close to the couple describe their YouTube venture as a significant success, with one stating, "They are the Mr and Mrs of television cookery. They are smashing it."
Torode's departure from MasterChef in July of the previous year followed an allegation that he had used a racial slur at a filming wrap party in 2019. His dismissal occurred in the context of broader issues, including accusations of inappropriate behavior against his co-presenter, Gregg Wallace. Wallace was also sacked after a report found a significant number of allegations against him were upheld. Torode has stated he has no recollection of the incident.
Meanwhile, the BBC's new director general, Matt Brittin, has reportedly hinted at exploring user-generated content and YouTube-style platforms for the BBC's iPlayer.
Faulkner, a former actress who starred in the drama series Spooks, met Torode in 2010 when she competed on Celebrity MasterChef, a show she went on to win. The couple married in 2019. Faulkner has been described as Torode's "rock" following his departure from MasterChef.
