After a decade of Sunday morning comfort food and kitchen camaraderie, ITV’s beloved cookery show John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen is reportedly facing its final curtain. The show, hosted by celebrity chef John Torode and his wife, actress and cook Lisa Faulkner, has been a staple for home cooks since its debut in March 2019. But as 2025 draws to a close, insiders suggest that the 10th series—set to air its last episode on December 28—may indeed be its swan song, with ITV citing budget pressures and production costs as key factors in the decision.
The news comes at a turbulent time for Torode, 60, whose career has weathered both acclaim and controversy this year. In July 2025, Torode was dismissed from the BBC’s flagship cooking competition MasterChef after an independent investigation upheld allegations that he used “extremely offensive” racist language during his tenure. The incident, said to have occurred in 2018 or 2019, was substantiated by a probe led by law firm Lewis Silkin. According to The Sun, Torode denied the allegation and stated, “I have no recollection of the incident,” expressing that the accusation “shocked and saddened” him. Yet, the BBC opted not to renew his contract, ending his two-decade run on the show.
The investigation that led to Torode’s ouster was part of a broader inquiry into the MasterChef environment. Gregg Wallace, Torode’s longtime co-host, also faced scrutiny, with 45 out of 83 claims of sexual harassment against him upheld. Wallace later issued a public apology, stating he was “deeply sorry for any distress caused,” though he later attempted—unsuccessfully—to sue the BBC for distress and harassment. The BBC maintained that Wallace was not “entitled to any damages.”
Despite the BBC’s decision, ITV initially stood by Torode. The network continued airing John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen through the remainder of 2025, even as headlines swirled and speculation mounted. In the midst of the controversy, ITV’s director of media and entertainment, Kevin Lygo, addressed the situation publicly. He told The Sun, “We felt it was a bit much for us to jump on the bandwagon and just deny these shows to go out.” Lygo added that ITV had “never had any issues with John” and had “never had any complaints or concerns about his conduct.” ITV reportedly held “crisis talks” about whether to continue airing the show but ultimately decided to broadcast the rest of the current series.
Still, the future of Weekend Kitchen remained uncertain as the year wore on. According to multiple sources, ITV’s commissioning team has not made a final decision about the show’s fate, but the outlook is bleak. “John is facing a nervous wait about Weekend Kitchen, but it’s not looking good,” one insider revealed to The Sun. “Budgets are being slashed, and the show is expensive to make.” The source added, “It will be a major blow to John. 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.”
For many viewers, John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen has been more than just a cookery program. Its format—featuring the couple cooking together, sharing tips and tricks, and hosting an array of guests—brought warmth and accessibility to the world of home cooking. The show’s easygoing style and genuine chemistry between Torode and Faulkner made it a go-to for both seasoned home cooks and kitchen novices alike. As Metro described, the pair “cook together sharing their unique tips, neat techniques and tricks and inspiring ideas for anyone who wants to cook.”
The show’s impending cancellation is part of a wider shake-up across British television, as networks grapple with rising production costs and shifting audience habits. ITV, like many broadcasters, has faced tough financial decisions in recent months, leading to the axing of several long-running programs. For Torode, the news comes at a particularly vulnerable moment. In the aftermath of his BBC dismissal, he has spoken candidly about the toll the controversy has taken on his personal life. Writing on Substack, he shared, “Life has changed forever for both me and those close to me. There is no sympathy searching here. Just honesty.” He continued, “Therapy over the past few months has entitled me to no longer ‘be brave’ but instead be real.”
Faulkner, 53, has stood by her husband throughout the ordeal, continuing to co-host Weekend Kitchen and support his new ventures. The couple’s resilience has not gone unnoticed. Grace Dent, who stepped in as Torode’s replacement on Celebrity MasterChef alongside Irish chef Anna Haugh, praised Torode in the Sunday Times, saying, “I absolutely adore John Torode. He is one of the kindest, most concerned, clever, thoughtful men that I know.”
Meanwhile, the BBC continued to air Celebrity MasterChef during the investigation, with drag artist Ginger Johnson taking home the trophy in the latest series. The show’s regular edition will now be hosted by Dent and Haugh, while speculation swirls about who will take the reins for the celebrity spin-off—Giorgio Locatelli is currently seen as the frontrunner.
As for Torode, he’s not stepping away from the kitchen just yet. He’s channeled his energy into a new YouTube cooking show, which sources say has been “well received.” The digital pivot reflects broader changes in how audiences consume cooking content, with many turning to online platforms for inspiration and instruction. For Torode, it’s a chance to rebuild and reconnect with fans on his own terms, outside the glare of mainstream television.
With the final episode of Weekend Kitchen set to air on December 28, 2025, viewers are left to savor the last moments of a show that brought joy, warmth, and a dash of culinary adventure to countless households. Whether the series will find new life elsewhere—or whether Torode and Faulkner will return to television in another guise—remains to be seen. For now, the couple’s journey stands as a testament to resilience in the face of public scrutiny and the ever-changing landscape of British television.
Whatever comes next, it’s clear that the legacy of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen will linger in the kitchens—and hearts—of its loyal viewers.
