Lisa Faulkner, wife of John Torode, has broken her silence after her husband and the MasterChef star was sacked from the BBC for allegedly using a racist slur. Lisa Faulkner, wife of John Torode, has broken her silence after her husband and the MasterChef star was sacked from the BBC for allegedly using a racist slur. TV presenter and chef Torode, 59, recently lost his job on the BBC show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, according to media reports. He, however, claims to have 'absolutely no recollection of using any N-word.' In a video posted on Instagram on Monday, Torode’s wife, Lisa, spoke on the matter for the first time since the action was taken against her husband. “Hi there, I just wanted to check in and say hello, and I'm here,” she said. “Just thank you for all your really lovely comments because they really mean a lot, so thank you,” she added.Torode was singing a songTorode, the celebrity chef, was reportedly singing the rapper's hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly 'caught using the racist term during after-work drinks six or seven years ago,' according to a Daily Mail report.BBC, however, has since reported this was not the incident that led to the complaint upheld by the report. The complaint against Torode was related to another incident a year earlier, when he allegedly used the same word on set after filming an episode of MasterChef, and it was directed at a member of staff.Live EventsThe news platform further stated that the allegation of racist language upheld against Torode was one of nine complaints made against him in the report.Allegations of abusive language towards junior staff not upheld According to the Daily Mail report, the complaints were also related to allegations of abusive language towards junior production staff and sexual language, which were not upheld as they were unsubstantiated due to a lack of evidence or witnesses.The Sun claims Torode used the word again whilst chatting to a friend on the MasterChef production team, who didn't take offense. The Australian-born chef has insisted 'he had no recollection' of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago. The person who raised the complaint is understood to have 'overheard the conversation.'The production pal allegedly backed Torode and said he only used the racial slur as an 'example' and 'apologized afterwards.' MailOnline has contacted the BBC and Torode's representatives for comment. Torode apologized immediately: Witness told investigatorsAccording to a witness in the matter, the TV chef had apologized immediately. He was mortified and didn't use the term as a slur in 2018.BBC to not renew Torode’s contractEarlier in July 2025, the BBC said that Torode's contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an 'extremely offensive racist term.' The network has refused to say what the racist term was, as has Torode, who has claimed he did 'not believe that it happened.'I have no recollection: Torode after being sackedAfter being sacked by the BBC, the star chef posted a lengthy statement on Instagram saying, 'Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay, I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of.'The complaint against Torode came to light in the report into co-presenter Gregg Wallace's inappropriate behavior. Wallace, 60, was sacked after dozens of complaints against him were upheld. Torode identified himself as an unnamed person in the report who was accused of using 'racist language.'(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onMasterChefJohn Toroderacial slur allegationsLisa FaulknerBBCcelebrity chef (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onMasterChefJohn Toroderacial slur allegationsLisa FaulknerBBCcelebrity chef(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless Explore More Stories123