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EXCLUSIVE: Lisa Faulkner facing challenge in marriage with MasterChef husband John Torode

Actress Lisa Faulkner has opened up about the secret to her successful marriage to John Torode, their quiet weekends together and her new venture as she steps onto the stage for the first time in over two decades

[Lisa and John have been together for over a decade]

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Lisa and John have been together for over a decade(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Together for over a decade now, actress Lisa Faulkner and her Australian husband John Torode both live and work side by side. For some, that would be a recipe for disaster but for these two, its perfect.

The pair met on Celebrity MasterChef four years before they began dating and tied the knot in 2019. They bonded over their mutual love of cooking and it still unites them. It has even seen them present their own show together, John And Lisas Weekend Kitchen .

Describing why their relationship has endured, Lisa, who is currently on a UK theatre tour of Single White Female, tells us: We have each others backs. Hes fantastic at what he does - the kindest, most wonderful man and very funny. Its so lovely to see him shine, and I think he feels the same about me.

She adds, with a smile, To cook with John, and to do our cooking shows together, its so great. Hes a proper chef and Im a home cook, but we teach each other different bits. I learn so much from him. Thats the key. I really respect him and what he does.

[Lisa has a 'girl gang' who she credits with getting her through the bad and the good]

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Lisa has a 'girl gang' who she credits with getting her through the bad and the good(Image: angelagriffin/Instagram)

[Lisa and John married in 2019]

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Lisa and John married in 2019

Their natural chemistry and occasional cheeky banter are what make their cosy cooking shows so relatable. Indeed, Lisa admits, We dont script anything. When people come around to ours, they say its like watching an episode of our show.

They may come from very different culinary backgrounds, but theres one dish where Lisa reckons she beats John hands down. I cook roast dinners better. Though he did make a very good one last weekend. Usually my Yorkshire puddings and my roast potatoes have the edge but his were amazing.

When they have a day off from their busy schedules, Lisa says they enjoy quiet, lazy mornings in bed, dog walks with their little ray of sunshine, female miniature Schnauzer Rory, and of course, a spot of cooking.

Usually I love to be up early when the sun comes up and take the dog for a walk but now my days off start slightly later. John and I have a nice cup of tea in bed, chat about the day, then take the dog for a walk and buy the food we want to cook, come home and cook and watch TV, she says, Its simple pleasures.

[The couple work and live together, which Lisa says is a dream]

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The couple work and live together, which Lisa says is a dream(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Right now, theres little time for days like those as Lisa, 53, is busy performing in Single White Female . Her first stage role in over two decades, its taking her away from London and 60-year-old former MasterChef host John but the pair are making it work.

I have Sundays and Mondays off, so my lovely John has picked me up every Saturday night so far from where Ive been and we drive back chatting in the car, she says. Hes come to see the show twice in two weeks. We have two days together, then he packs me off with lovely soup and noodles.

In Lisas case, absence is certainly making the heart grow fonder. She says, I really miss him because we normally spend so much time together. Suddenly, were apart this is new. Hes been so supportive, though. He said when I got the offer, Youve got to take this job, its going to be great for you.

Someone else shes missing deeply while on tour is her daughter Billie, 19, who she adopted at 17 months old with her ex-husband, actor Chris Coghill. Now Billie is an adult, Lisa has more freedom, but their bond remains as strong as ever.

Having my daughter when I did, I made the choice to be at home more and not travel as far for work. I didnt take as many acting jobs as theyd have taken me away from her. I wanted to be there for my girl. Trying to balance being present as a mum and present in your job, its not easy, she reflects.

But now its amazing because she can come to see me on tour. Its been so cool to have her at the show. I have a brilliant relationship with Billie. I just love her to the moon and back. To see her grow into this incredible young woman has been amazing.

As well as her family, Lisa has a close network of girlfriends who she chats to regularly and who support each other completely. Her girl gang includes actresses Angela Griffin, Sarah Parish, Amanda Holden, Nicola Stephenson and Tamzin Outhwaite.

We have a besties chat we use all the time. Were all doing different things but we speak nearly every day. Weve got such a lovely girl group, Lisa says. Theyre all coming to see me on tour, but theyre not allowed to tell me when. What a powerful group of women. I feel very blessed to call them my friends.

[Lisa and her husband John present their Weekend Kitchen show together]

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Lisa and her husband John present their Weekend Kitchen show together(Image: ITV)

When things get tough, Lisa knows she can lean on them, without question. Female friendships are really very special, she tells us. We may be in an industry that looks shiny and glossy, but anyone who really knows it knows exactly what its like. Theyre kind, real people. We support each other and hold each other up.

She adds, Im lucky to have people who hold your hand through thick and thin. Whatever ups and downs are happening, theyll be like, Were on our way, with tea and cake.

Girlie weekends are important for her little gang too, she says. We do a weekend at least once a year where we all sit around in our pyjamas, make food and just chat for hours. We literally dont come up for air for three days.

With that solid support network around her, Lisa is treading the boards for the first time in 21 years. Single White Female is an adaptation of the hit 90s psychological thriller starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh as her obsessive roommate. It follows the story of recently divorced mum Allie, played by Lisa, who is balancing being a single parent with the launch of her new tech business.

Needing a lodger, Allie is joined by Hedy, played by former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh. But soon their intertwining lives have chilling consequences for both.

Of taking the leap after all this time, Lisa says, I was a bit reticent at first, but I think the universe hands you things at the right time. It came from the sky and Im really pleased it did. To be in front of live audiences, to meet people and see all the cities I dont really see is quite a buzz.

[Lisa in Holby City alongside two of her best friends to this day, Angela Griffin and Nicola Stephenson]

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Lisa in Holby City alongside two of her best friends to this day, Angela Griffin and Nicola Stephenson(Image: BBC)

[Lisa was in Holby City in the early 2000s]

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Lisa was in Holby City in the early 2000s(Image: BBC)

Ive acted since I was 19 and its something that makes my heart beat like nothing else. Here, I get to do it every night and its different every time. I love the energy of this production.

Despite her experience, Lisa isnt immune to nerves. I do have a few bubbles of nerves. On the first night, Kym was amazing. She came and held my hand on the side in the wings before I went on. She was like, Im here, Ive got you. Im so lucky to have her.

Working with a small company on her new theatre show has been a blessing for Lisa. We all get into a circle, hold hands and say affirmations and repeat them back to one another. Its something Kym had done on one of her shows and its a really lovely thing. I will take it with me everywhere, she says.

And getting to know Kym, she says, has been one of the greatest gifts. Shes a joy. We get on so well. Shes worked with my best friend Angela Griffin, who told me Id love her, and its true.

As for whats next, Lisa has some exciting projects in the works, but is keeping schtum on those for now. Meanwhile, she admits shes extremely proud of herself for taking on this latest adventure. Its terrifying and its scary but Im jumping in headfirst.

The Single White Female UK And Ireland tour runs until 13 June 2026. For tickets, see swfonstage.com.

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