John Torode’s defense of Gregg Wallace after his wife Lisa Faulkner’s comments | Television and radio | Showbiz and television

Masterchef judge John Torode quickly intervened after his Holby City star wife Lisa Faulkner suggested Gregg Wallace had made a series of inappropriate jokes.

Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, where the couple were promoting their new cookbook, John and Lisa’s Kitchen, she recalled her experience on Celebrity Masterchef. “I probably shouldn’t say this (but) Gregg told one crude joke after another to the crew,” she cringed.

“You’re just sitting there and if you’re sitting on the front bench and you’re like, ‘I’ve got ten minutes left,’ and he goes, ‘So this girl walked into a bar…’” she began. “I go, ‘Please, I don’t want to hear this joke.'”

However, John came to his co-star’s defense, insisting: “It’s actually changed quite a bit…” Gregg was previously accused of making inappropriate comments around a female staff member at the BBC.

However, he categorically denies the allegations, saying that when they were investigated at the time, it was determined that the jokes were “not sexual.” The TV presenter, who quit Inside The Factory last year following claims about his conversations with staff, also addressed how long ago they had taken place.

He took to Instagram to make a public statement about the 2018 “incidents,” which included discussing the sex life he shares with his wife and taking off his top in the presence of the aforementioned female employee.

“Good morning. Referring to what has been reported in the newspapers, these allegations were investigated by the BBC six years ago,” he wrote.

“My comments did not appear to be sexual. I repeat, not sexually. Thank you.”

He went on to say that he was “madly in love” with his 37-year-old wife Anna, who is 22 years younger than him.

He wrote angrily: “Another thing I feel very strongly about – strongly enough to be on (Instagram) – no one has accused me of flirting with anyone or hitting anyone six years ago or since.”

Last year he released a statement explaining his departure from Inside The Factory, explaining that he was dedicated to the needs of his autistic son.

“As viewers know, it is an understatement to say that I find the inside of factories fascinating. I have always been amazed by the scale of production, whether it is conveyor belts full of small sweets or a double-decker bus rolling out of the factory. for the very first time,” he praised.

However, he continued: “For me, filming the show alongside my other TV and family commitments has always been a balance and with the needs of my (three-year-old) son Sid becoming increasingly challenging, I have decided that the time has come to hang up my hairnet on.”

Meanwhile, the latest episode of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen airs today at 10.40am on ITV.