Lisa Faulkner has spoken out for the first time since her husband, TV chef John Torode, was axed from MasterChef following a report that upheld an allegation of racist language.
Torode, 59, lost his job on the hit BBC cooking show after being accused of using an “extremely offensive racist term” during a conversation on set in 2018.
The Australian-born chef has denied the allegation, saying he has “absolutely no recollection” of using the slur.
In a video posted to Instagram on Monday, Faulkner addressed the controversy publicly for the first time.
She shared: “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, so thank you.”
Her comments come after weeks of speculation surrounding Torode’s departure from the BBC.
Reports initially suggested that Torode had used the slur while singing along to Kanye West’s Gold Digger at a social event six or seven years ago.
However, BBC News later clarified that this was not the incident which led to the upheld complaint.
Instead, the investigation focused on a separate alleged incident from 2018, in which Torode is said to have used the slur on set after filming an episode of MasterChef, reportedly in reference to a member of staff.
According to BBC News, the upheld complaint was one of nine allegations made against Torode in an internal report.
The others, which included claims of abusive language towards junior production staff and inappropriate sexual language, were not upheld due to a lack of evidence or witnesses.
The Sun reported that the slur was overheard during a conversation with a colleague, who later defended Torode, claiming the term was used in a non-derogatory way as an “example,” and that the chef had apologised immediately.
One witness reportedly said Torode was “mortified” and did not intend to cause offence.
Despite the apology, the BBC confirmed earlier this month that Torode’s contract would not be renewed, stating the chef had used an “extremely offensive racist term.”
Torode has continued to deny wrongdoing, saying he does not believe the incident occurred.
The BBC has not confirmed what specific language was used.
However, in a recent interview, presenter BBC Director General Tim Davies described the term as “the worst racial slur there is,” and added: “They [the BBC] found evidence that they were happy with - that that was true.”
