Lisa Faulkner revealed she was on the way to film something first thing this morning as she got back to work following her husband’s BBC axing scandal.
Her husband John, 60, was fired from MasterChef after 20 years following an allegation of racism last month, after he revealed he was the subject of a claim that was upheld as part of an inquiry into his co-star Gregg Wallace.
Following his unceremonious departure from the broadcaster it was revealed by the Daily Mail that ITV, where John also fronts TV shows, were backing him.
While she did not confirm which show she was working on, Lisa shared a picture from the back of a car on Monday morning and said she was heading to work.
Lisa Faulkner co-hosts the ITV show John & Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen with her husband as well as working as a contributor on Lorraine.
Sources at ITV recently told us that it will continue to broadcast the tenth series of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen rather than pulling it from the schedule.
Her husband John, 60, was fired from MasterChef after 20 years following an allegation of racism last month after he was revealed he was the subject of a claim that was upheld as part of an inquiry into his co-star Gregg Wallace
ITV are standing by under fire John Torode , despite his BBC axing from MasterChef following an allegation of racism
Sources at ITV have said that it will continue to broadcast the tenth series of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen
The much-loved cookery show, which launched in 2019, features Lisa and John, 59, as they showcase their favourite recipes.
An ITV source said: ‘There is no change to the ITV schedule and John and Lisa’s Weekends will be broadcast as usual and will continue to air for the next three weeks.’
There are also plans for the broadcaster to welcome John back later in the year with John & Lisa’s Christmas Kitchen in December.
The Australian chef was dramatically axed from MasterChef – hours after the BBC’s director general refused to back him over an allegation of racism.
The corporation said the host’s contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an ‘extremely offensive racist term’ during drinks after filming the show.
The complaint against John was revealed in the report into co-presenter Gregg Wallace’s inappropriate behaviour.
Gregg, 60, was sacked after dozens of complaints against him were upheld.
John identified himself on Monday as an unnamed person in the report who was accused of using ‘racist language’.
John’s statement after the Beeb said he would no longer be hosting MasterChef
The complaint against John was revealed in the report into co-presenter Gregg Wallace’s inappropriate behaviour
However, the presenter said ‘he had absolutely no recollection’ of the incident and did ‘not believe that it happened’.
But in a statement yesterday, the BBC said: ‘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.
‘The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously.
‘We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.’
Hours before the announcement, BBC director general Tim Davie had refused to back John and said he expected ‘action to be taken’ over the allegation.
He delivered the remarks as the BBC released its annual report – an occasion overshadowed by controversies for the second year in a row.
Last year’s was published amid the fallout over news presenter Huw Edwards who pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.
Asked about the Torode racism row, Tim Davie said: ‘The BBC in some ways are quite simple on this – if someone is found to not live up to our values we expect the independent company, Banijay in this case, to take action and report back to us on what they have done.
‘These are not BBC employees, but we absolutely expect action to be taken.’
BBC director-general Tim Davie on Tuesday spoke out about the ‘serious racist term’ John used (stock photo)
Tim added: ‘I think a great programme that’s loved by audiences is much bigger than individuals.
‘It absolutely can survive and prosper, but we’ve got to make ing drinks sure we’re in the right place in ness terms of the culture of the show.’
It had been alleged by a source close to John that he had used an inappropriate racial term during drinks after filming. The witness claimed he had apologised immediately and ‘was mortified’ and he ‘didn’t use the term as a slur’.
No one complained at the time but the incident was brought up during the inquiry into Gregg, they said.
On Monday, John said he had ‘absolutely no recollection’ of the incident and was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the allegation. ‘I would never wish to cause anyone offence,’ he added.
Responding to his sacking, John, who is married to actress and former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Lisa Faulkner, said: ‘I’d hoped that I’d have some say in my exit from a show I’ve worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few says seem to have prevented that.’
He said he ‘had loved every minute’ working on the show but it was ‘time to pass the cutlery to someone else’.
‘Life is everchanging and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere,’ he added.
