With his voice cracking, one MasterChef worker describes the drama of the past fortnight, which has seen both its presenters sacked in quick succession - first Gregg Wallace, and then John Torode. "I'm in shock with it all. It's raw, and fresh," adds the member of production staff - who wants to remain anonymous.

John Torode and Lisa Faulkner met when the soapstar appeared on Celebrity Masterchef, and while they initially said their relationship was platonic, romance blossomed

John Torode’s TV career is said to be “hanging in the balance” after his exit from MasterChef over an upheld allegation that he used a racist term. ITV will continue to air John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen – the show Torode presents with his wife Lisa Faulker – as planned this Saturday,