Lisa Faulkner says she is all clear after breast cancer and discusses Weeknight Dinners

Lisa Faulkner has said she is all clear after treatment for early-stage breast cancer and used a studio interview to urge women to attend mammogram appointments. She appeared with John Torode to discuss her recovery and their new cookbook, Weeknight Dinners.

Faulkner said the summer had been a rollercoaster she did not expect. She confirmed that radiotherapy was finished, that she was well and that she felt very grateful. She said the treatment wiped her out more than she had expected. She also said she was grateful the cancer was caught early through a mammogram and encouraged women who receive an invitation to get checked.

Torode said he attended every appointment with her and acted as her eyes and ears. He said he wrote down questions and listened because Faulkner found it hard to take in information while handling her emotions. He said the experience had taught him more about how many women are affected by breast cancer and how many men are unaware. He praised the NHS and repeated the call for women to have mammograms.

Torode also reflected on a difficult year of his own, including MasterChef. He said he wanted to celebrate the more than 2,000 people who gave up their time to cook on the programme. Asked whether he had moved on, he said life requires people to pick up and keep going. He said the unexpected can blindside you on a random Tuesday afternoon, but that the period was done and he had moved on. He said he had spent a fantastic summer with Faulkner and had time off to deal with it.

Much of the interview focused on Weeknight Dinners. Faulkner said they are constantly asked what they are having for dinner, and the book was designed to offer inspiration for the meals people cook every week. She said it includes quick fixes, one-pot and one-tray dishes, and recipes that can be adapted. She gave the example of her sister, who is vegetarian and made John's scissor cut noodles with vegetables instead of pork.

Torode said the book combines professional kitchen preparation with home cooking. He said professional kitchens prepare elements in advance and cook quickly, while home cooks often put a pot in the oven and serve it straight away. One example is a pie using one of Faulkner's dishes, topped with filo pastry instead of puff pastry. The book also has a late-night chapter inspired by the student cookery programme Get Stuffed, with loaded hot dogs, enchiladas and a burger.

Recipes highlighted in the interview included a quick butter bean curry with spinach and a sausage pasta with fennel seeds, chilli and a little cream. Torode said every recipe has a photograph and that the book is meant to be a base for inspiration. The couple also mentioned that their YouTube channel is up and running.