John Torode and wife Lisa Faulkner’s Weekend Kitchen has reportedly been axed by ITV.
The cookery show has aired for 10 series, beginning in March 2019.
Its popular format sees the celebrity chef couple joined by guests to prepare dishes and exchange tips and tricks.
While the morning show has been a regular fixture in the ITV schedule each Sunday, insiders are now claiming it’s heading for the chopping block.
The shake-up comes after a turbulent year for Torode, 60, who was sacked from BBC’s MasterChef after joining as a presenter alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005.
In July 2025, Torode said he was accused of using ‘extremely offensive’ racist language, which was upheld as part of an inquiry commissioned by production company Banijay, which was launched after allegations of sexual harassment were made against co-host Wallace.
In total, 45 out of 83 claims made about Wallace’s behaviour were upheld, to which he said he was ‘deeply sorry for any distress caused’ at the time. Wallace later attempted to sue the BBC for ‘distress and harassment’, but the broadcaster said he was not ‘entitled to any damages’.
Addressing his own matter in a subsequent Instagram statement, Torode said he had ‘no recollection of the incident’, said to have taken place in 2018 or 2019. He added that the allegation ‘shocked and saddened’ him.
While the BBC opted not to renew Torode’s MasterChef contract, ITV seemingly stood by him, as he returned to screens with Faulkner, 53, as Weekend Kitchen continued airing.
Now, however, it’s said to be looking likely that the 10th series of Weekend Kitchen will be its last.
A source told The Sun: ‘John is facing a nervous wait about Weekend Kitchen, but it’s not looking good.
‘The commissioning team have still not made a decision. Budgets are being slashed, and the show is expensive to make.’
‘It will be a major blow to John,’ they added. ‘He had a really tough time after being sacked from the BBC.
‘He is pushing forward with Lisa and is working hard on a new YouTube cooking show, which has been well-received.
‘Naturally, he’s hoping his ITV show will get a redeeming nod, but he’s prepared for the worst.’
John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen will reportedly air its final episode this Sunday.
Previously, it was alleged that ITV bosses held ‘crisis talks’ over whether to continue airing Weekend Kitchen’s current season, ultimately deciding to do so.
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s director of media and entertainment, confirmed to The Sun: ‘[It] felt it was a bit much for us to jump on the bandwagon and just deny these shows to go out.’
Meanwhile, Torode recently revealed that he has been seeing a therapist amid the fallout of his MasterChef firing.
Writing on Substack, he shared that ‘life has changed forever’ for both him and ‘those close to [him]’.
‘There is no sympathy searching here,’ he added. ‘Just honesty.’
Torode went on: ‘Therapy over the past few months has entitled me to no longer “be brave” but instead be real.’
The TV presenter filmed a handful of Celebrity MasterChef episodes alongside Wallace’s replacement, Grace Dent, before exiting the BBC for good.
Speaking to the Sunday Times about Torode, Dent sung his praises: ‘I absolutely adore John Torode.’
She added: ‘He is one of the kindest, most concerned, clever, thoughtful men that I know.’
Speculation continues around who will replace Torode on the showbiz edition of MasterChef. Currently, Giorgio Locatelli is the favourite, while Dent will host the regular series with Irish chef Anna Haugh.
ITV has been contacted for comment. Reps for John Torode have also been contacted.
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