John Torode is married to Lisa Faulkner, a British actress, television personality and cookbook author. Although Torode became famous through his career as a professional chef and television presenter, his relationship with Faulkner has also attracted considerable public interest. The couple first crossed paths through television and eventually developed a relationship that led to marriage in 2019.
Faulkner already had a successful acting career before becoming known for her work in food television. She appeared in several popular British television programmes and later won Celebrity MasterChef in 2010. Her victory was significant because John Torode was one of the judges on the programme. Their professional connection eventually became a personal relationship, and they have since worked together on several food-related projects.
Who Is Lisa Faulkner?
Lisa Faulkner is an English actress and television personality who has built a career across acting, presenting and cooking. She became recognised through British television dramas and later expanded her career into food programmes and cookery writing.
Her acting credits include appearances in programmes such as EastEnders, Holby City and Spooks. However, her career took an interesting turn when she entered Celebrity MasterChef. Faulkner won the competition in 2010, demonstrating that her interest in cooking was more than a personal hobby.
Over the years, Faulkner has become closely associated with home cooking and food television. Her professional experience in front of the camera also made her a natural partner for Torode when the couple began working together.
How John Torode and Lisa Faulkner First Crossed Paths
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner first became acquainted through television. Their paths crossed before their relationship began, but Celebrity MasterChef became an especially important part of their story.
Faulkner competed on the programme in 2010 and eventually won the competition. Torode was one of the show’s judges at the time. They were both in other relationships when they first met, so their eventual romance came later rather than immediately after their television encounter.
Their story has often attracted attention because their professional connection developed gradually. What started as a television encounter eventually became a long-term relationship and then a marriage.
When Did John Torode and Lisa Faulkner Start Dating?
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner began their romantic relationship several years after they first met. Public reports have placed the beginning of their relationship around 2015, after both had moved on from previous marriages.
The couple kept aspects of their early relationship relatively private. Their romance eventually became public, and they continued to appear together as their relationship developed. Their different professional backgrounds also gave them plenty of opportunities to work in television and food media.
Their relationship ultimately progressed to an engagement and then marriage, creating one of British television’s better-known chef and presenter partnerships.
The Proposal That Led to Their Wedding
John Torode proposed to Lisa Faulkner in 2018. The proposal became an important milestone in their relationship after several years together.
The couple subsequently began planning their wedding, eventually choosing Aynhoe Park in Oxfordshire as the setting for their ceremony. Their wedding attracted attention because of their television profiles and their established careers in food and entertainment.
Their engagement also marked the beginning of a new chapter in their personal and professional lives.
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner’s Wedding Day
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner married on 24 October 2019 at Aynhoe Park in Oxfordshire. Their wedding brought together family, friends and a number of people from the entertainment and food industries.
The ceremony became a memorable moment for the couple after several years of dating. Their marriage also strengthened the public image of the pair as a successful television partnership.
Since their wedding, they have continued to combine their personal relationship with shared food and television projects.
Lisa Faulkner’s Acting Career Before Her Food Success
Before becoming strongly associated with cooking programmes, Lisa Faulkner was an established actress. She appeared in a range of British television productions and developed a career in drama and entertainment.
Her television work included roles in EastEnders, Holby City and Spooks. This acting background gave her considerable experience working in front of cameras long before she became a familiar face in food television.
Her transition into food television was therefore not a complete career change. Instead, it added another dimension to an already established media career.
How Celebrity MasterChef Changed Lisa’s Career
Winning Celebrity MasterChef became one of the most important moments in Lisa Faulkner’s professional life. The competition allowed audiences to see another side of her personality and showcased her cooking abilities.
The programme also created a lasting connection with John Torode. While he judged her performance as a contestant, their relationship later developed away from the competition environment.
Faulkner’s success helped establish her as a food personality in her own right. She later worked on cookery programmes, published food-related material and developed television projects with Torode.
Their Life as a Television Couple
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner have successfully brought their shared interest in food into their professional lives. One of their best-known projects is John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen, which focuses on approachable recipes and home cooking.
Their different backgrounds make the partnership distinctive. Torode brings years of professional culinary experience, while Faulkner combines her acting and presenting skills with her own enthusiasm for cooking.
Their on-screen relationship has also allowed viewers to see a more relaxed side of both personalities. Instead of presenting themselves simply as chef and presenter, they often work as a couple sharing everyday food ideas.
Does John Torode Have Children?
Yes. John Torode has four children from previous relationships. His children are now adults, and they form part of the wider blended family he shares with Lisa Faulkner.
Faulkner has an adopted daughter, Billie, from her previous marriage to actor Chris Coghill. Billie was adopted during Faulkner’s earlier marriage and has grown up as an important part of the family.
The couple’s family life has therefore brought together children from their previous relationships while they have continued building their life together.
Lisa Faulkner’s Previous Marriage and Family
Before marrying John Torode, Lisa Faulkner was married to actor Chris Coghill. The couple married in 2005 and later separated before divorcing in 2011. They had adopted a daughter named Billie.
Faulkner’s previous marriage is relevant to understanding her family life because her daughter remains an important part of her life. After her relationship with Coghill ended, Faulkner eventually found a long-term partner in Torode.
Her marriage to Torode created a blended family that includes children from both sides.
What Makes John Torode and Lisa Faulkner’s Relationship Work?
The couple’s relationship has developed around several shared interests, particularly family life, cooking and television. They have also spoken about the importance of spending time together away from their professional commitments.
Their work together means they spend considerable time collaborating, but they have also developed separate careers. This balance allows both of them to maintain their own identities while continuing to work as a couple.
Their shared approach to food has become particularly important. Cooking is not simply part of their professional lives but also plays a role in their home life.
John Torode Supports Lisa Faulkner Through a Difficult 2026
In 2026, Lisa Faulkner publicly discussed her diagnosis with early-stage breast cancer. She subsequently underwent treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy. By September 2026, reports said she had completed radiotherapy and was cancer-free.
The experience has had a major impact on the couple. Torode has spoken about how the experience changed his priorities and made family and personal wellbeing more important.
During Faulkner’s recovery, Torode also took on a supportive role at home, including preparing food for her. Their recent interviews have presented a more personal picture of their marriage and the challenges they have faced together.
What Are John Torode and Lisa Faulkner Doing Now?
The couple’s professional direction has evolved considerably in recent years. Following Torode’s departure from MasterChef in 2025, he and Faulkner have focused more attention on their own food projects and digital work.
In 2026, they were reported to be developing their YouTube presence through John and Lisa’s Kitchen and Home. They have also continued working on food-related projects and their cooking brand.
This new chapter gives the couple greater control over the content they produce and allows them to connect directly with their audience.
Why Fans Continue to Search for John Torode’s Wife
Searches for John Torode wife remain popular because Lisa Faulkner is herself a recognisable television personality. She is not simply known as the wife of a celebrity chef; she has an established career spanning acting, cooking and television presenting.
Their relationship also interests viewers because they have successfully combined marriage and professional collaboration. Their shared programmes give audiences an opportunity to see their personalities beyond their individual careers.
Their changing professional lives and recent family experiences have also brought renewed attention to their relationship.
FAQs
Who is John Torode’s wife?
John Torode wife is Lisa Faulkner, an English actress, television presenter and cookbook author. She is also the winner of Celebrity MasterChef 2010.
When did John Torode marry Lisa Faulkner?
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner married on 24 October 2019 at Aynhoe Park in Oxfordshire.
How did John Torode meet Lisa Faulkner?
The pair first crossed paths through television and became particularly connected when Faulkner competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2010. Torode was one of the judges, and Faulkner went on to win the competition.
Does Lisa Faulkner have children?
Yes. Lisa Faulkner has an adopted daughter named Billie from her previous marriage to actor Chris Coghill.
How many children does John Torode have?
John Torode has four children from previous relationships. His children are now grown up, while Faulkner’s daughter Billie is also part of their blended family.
Do John Torode and Lisa Faulkner work together?
Yes. They have worked together on food television, most notably John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen. In recent years, they have also developed their own online cooking and lifestyle content.
Conclusion
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner have built a relationship that combines love, family, cooking and television. Their journey began through the world of MasterChef before developing into a long-term partnership.
Lisa Faulkner has also established an impressive career of her own, moving from acting into food television and presenting.
Their 2019 wedding marked another major milestone in their relationship, while their shared projects have allowed them to work together professionally.
In 2026, the couple have faced major personal and professional changes, but their focus remains strongly centred on family, cooking and their future together.
