ACTRESS TURNED CHEF LISA FAULKNER
ACTRESS LISA FAULKNER TELLS ok!’s CLARE FISHER ABOUT HER WEDDING PLANS, THE MENOPAUSE AND BEING OUT OF HER COMFORT ZONE
TELLS US ABOUT HER WEDDING PLANS
With her wedding just around the corner, a prime time TV show and a teenage daughter, actress Lisa Faulkner is understandably stressed. ‘I keep waking up in the night thinking of the things I’ve forgotten,’ she laughs, adding that she’s ‘very excited’ about tying the knot with Masterchef’s John Torode next month. ‘He looks after me and I look after him,’ she’s sweetly said of her fiancé.
Lisa has been very open about her infertility struggles, publishing a memoir about her journey through ectopic pregnancy, IVF and eventually adopting her 13-yearold daughter, Billie, who she shares with her former husband, actor Chris Coghill. ‘I think it’s a really important story to tell,’ she explains. ‘It’s so important to know that you’re not alone in the world of infertility.’
Here Lisa opens up about her recent role in ITV’S A Confession, living and working with John, 54, and why we should all be a little bit kinder to ourselves…
How did you find acting in A Confession alongside Martin Freeman?
I was very, very honoured to be asked as it’s such a great show. I have a small part but it was completely out of my comfort zone – my dad said to me: ‘I didn’t even recognise you, Lisa!’ I’d love to get my teeth into some more meaty drama but it’s all about finding the balance between acting and filming Weekend Kitchen with John.
Were you and John thrilled that John
And Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen was recommissioned for a second series?
We’ve had an amazing response and we just love doing the show. What you see on screen is basically how John and I are at home.
Do you ever find working and living together too much?
No, it’s a great excuse to spend some quality time together! We’re both so busy; we’re often like ships passing in the night so I’m very happy to be working with my future husband.
Speaking of weddings, how are plans coming along?
I still have a huge to-do list and need to get to do-ing as the date is creeping up! I’ve done the big things like dress and venue but it’s all the little details. I’m getting very excited, though.
What will Billie’s role on the day be?
She’s going to be my best woman. I don’t know if she’s going to do a speech, she’s only 13, but she says she’ll surprise me so we’ll see! She’s just happy to be walking with me and wearing a beautiful dress.
When you teased the second series of
Weekend Kitchen on Instagram by saying you had some exciting news, lots of people jumped to the conclusion that you were pregnant…
I thought it was amazing that people thought I could still have babies! I’m 47 – so not quite at the menopause stage yet – but I’m sure the menopause is just around the corner. It is funny as I’ve been so open about the fact that I can’t have babies.
Do you ever regret being so open about your infertility?
Not at all, I think it’s a really important story to tell. The amount of messages I’ve had from women saying that I’ve helped them has been overwhelming. It’s so important to know that you’re not alone in the world of infertility, miscarriage and IVF.
You and John met on
Celebrity Masterchef in 2010 – are you tuning in to the current series?
When we’re both home we do, although John is currently filming the next series so he does ask for a break from wall to wall Masterchef! It’s a bit early in the series to say who might win but I have got my eye on [former footballer] Neil Ruddock.
Tell us about working on Dove’s new campaign...
I’ll be in the shower berating myself, thinking, I should tone this bit of my body, or my rosacea looks awful today. Or I’ll be running through my daughter’s schedule in my head thinking about the PE kit that needs washing or the birthday party present I’ve forgotten to buy. It’s lovely to partner with a company who are saying, let’s be less harsh on ourselves physically as well as mentally. I want to teach Billie that kindness starts with being kind to ourselves. I’m very conscious of not using words like fat and ugly around her as I don’t want her growing up judging herself.
LISA IS SUPPORTING THE ‘DON’T BE SO TOUGH ON YOURSELF’ CAMPAIGN FOR DOVE’S BODY WASH RANGE, WHICH IS GENTLE TO YOUR SKIN MICROBIOME. AVAILABLE AT ALL MAJOR RETAILERS.
‘I’M VERY HAPPY TO BE WORKING WITH MY FUTURE HUSBAND’