John Torode Faces Uncertain Future as ITV Considers Weekend Kitchen’s Fate

John Torode is reportedly confronting an uncertain future as ITV considers the fate of his popular weekend cooking show, Weekend Kitchen. The series, co-hosted with his wife, Lisa Faulkner, has aired for ten seasons since its debut in March 2019. Insiders suggest that the show may be facing cancellation, a decision that has emerged amid a turbulent period for Torode.

The potential axing of Weekend Kitchen follows the recent controversies surrounding Torode. In July 2025, he was dismissed from BBC’s MasterChef after an inquiry led by production company Banijay upheld allegations that he had used “extremely offensive” racist language. This inquiry was initiated following accusations of sexual harassment against co-host Gregg Wallace.

According to reports, 45 out of 83 claims regarding Wallace’s conduct were substantiated, leading to his termination from the show. Wallace expressed regret over the distress caused by his actions but later pursued legal action against the BBC, claiming harassment and distress, which the broadcaster denied.

In light of these developments, Torode has publicly stated that he has “no recollection” of the incident in question, which allegedly occurred between 2018 and 2019. He described the allegations as shocking and expressed his sadness over the situation. Despite the BBC’s decision not to renew his contract, ITV initially stood by Torode as Weekend Kitchen continued to air.

Recent reports indicate that the 10th series of Weekend Kitchen may indeed be its last. A source informed The Sun that Torode is experiencing a “nervous wait” regarding the show’s future. “John is facing a nervous wait about Weekend Kitchen, but it’s not looking good,” the insider said. “Budgets are being slashed, and the show is expensive to make.”

This cancellation would be a significant disappointment for Torode, especially following his challenging exit from the BBC. Currently, he is focusing on a new YouTube cooking show that has received positive feedback. While he remains hopeful for a favorable outcome regarding Weekend Kitchen, he is also preparing for the worst.

The final episode of Weekend Kitchen is set to air this Sunday. Previously, ITV’s management had engaged in “crisis talks” to determine whether to continue broadcasting the current season, ultimately deciding to allow it to air. ITV’s director of media and entertainment, Kevin Lygo, commented on the situation, stating, “It felt it was a bit much for us to jump on the bandwagon and just deny these shows to go out.”

In the aftermath of his dismissal from MasterChef, Torode has sought therapy to cope with the emotional fallout. He shared in a recent Substack post that “life has changed forever” for him and those around him, emphasizing his commitment to honesty in discussing his experiences.

Torode expressed that therapy has allowed him to be “real” rather than merely “brave.” He briefly filmed a few episodes of Celebrity MasterChef alongside Wallace’s successor, Grace Dent, who has praised Torode for his character, calling him “one of the kindest, most concerned, clever, thoughtful men” she knows.

As speculation mounts regarding potential replacements for Torode on MasterChef, chef Giorgio Locatelli is currently the frontrunner, while Dent is set to host the regular series alongside Irish chef Anna Haugh.

ITV has not yet issued a comment on the future of Weekend Kitchen, and representatives for John Torode have also been approached for a statement. The entertainment industry will be closely watching how these developments unfold for the celebrity chef, who finds himself at a crossroads in his career.