John Torode's MasterChef Sacking Paled in Comparison to Wife's Cancer Diagnosis
The TV chef described his dismissal from the show and wife Lisa Faulkner's breast cancer battle as a 'tough year,' but emphasized that serious health concerns bring everything into perspective.
John Torode stated that his wife Lisa Faulkner's breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year placed his own dismissal from MasterChef into perspective, describing the experience as enduring "dark times." Speaking on Lorraine on Thursday, Torode reflected on a challenging period, noting that when confronted with a serious health diagnosis, "everything else just disappears."
Faulkner announced in July that she had received the all-clear following surgery and radiotherapy, crediting early detection through a contrast-enhanced mammogram (CEM) for her recovery. She urged others to undergo regular mammograms, explaining that CEM, which involves injecting a dye before an X-ray, can highlight areas of concern more effectively than a standard mammogram.
Torode also acknowledged the importance of men educating themselves about breast cancer and praised Faulkner for her support during her appointments, referring to himself as her "eyes and ears" who documented the details. Faulkner confirmed that radiotherapy had left her feeling unexpectedly tired.
The couple appeared on the show to promote their new cookbook, "John and Lisa's Weeknight Dinners." Torode's departure from MasterChef in July 2025 reportedly stemmed from an alleged race row, with claims that he sang lyrics containing a racial slur from a Kanye West song at a post-work party in 2019. The BBC did not release an official report, and Torode stated he did not recall the event. He described the BBC as a "machine that spat me out" and felt there was "a lot more at play than to do with me."
Torode presented MasterChef for 20 years alongside Gregg Wallace. While the investigation into allegations against Wallace, which included inappropriate comments and unwanted physical contact, upheld a significant number of complaints, Torode was subsequently dismissed. Despite being offered the chance to continue without Wallace, Torode was also let go, describing the aftermath as a "time of grief."