Lisa Faulkner has shared a deeply touching birthday tribute to her husband John Torode, revealing just how important his love and support have been during one of the most challenging chapters of her life.
The 54-year-old actress and TV cook celebrated John’s 61st birthday with a heartfelt message describing him as the “kindest man” with the “gentlest, biggest heart” — while admitting she does not know how she would have coped with the past few months without him by her side.
Sharing a sweet selfie of the couple cuddled closely together, Lisa reflected on everything they have faced as a family.
“What a year it’s been, but we held each other’s hands and I couldn’t have got through these past few months without you by my side,” she wrote.
The simple words carried even greater meaning following Lisa’s recent revelation that she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
“You make my heart thump”
Lisa began her birthday message with a loving tribute to the man she calls both her husband and her best friend.
“Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband,” she wrote, before wishing John the happiest of days.
But it was what followed that truly captured the emotion behind their relationship.
“You are the kindest man with the gentlest biggest heart and you make my heart thump,” Lisa continued.
Rather than focusing on a lavish birthday celebration, Lisa shared a beautifully ordinary wish — looking forward to enjoying a birthday coffee together in their special spot in the garden, accompanied by their beloved dog Rory.
After everything the couple has experienced recently, that quiet image of the two simply sitting together feels particularly poignant.
Sometimes, during life’s most frightening moments, it is those small rituals that suddenly mean everything.
John has been beside her throughout her cancer journey
Lisa’s birthday tribute comes shortly after she publicly revealed that she had undergone surgery following an early breast cancer diagnosis.
She explained that she had been unusually quiet on social media because she was recovering from what she described as a significant operation.
Thankfully, Lisa later shared encouraging news: her results showed that the cancer had been successfully removed.
She is now continuing her recovery and is expected to undergo a course of radiotherapy as the next stage of her treatment.
Throughout that frightening and emotional period, John appears to have remained a constant source of strength.
Lisa recently shared another deeply personal message about her husband, describing him not only as her best friend but also as a “wonderful nurse”.
“I don’t know how I would have coped without this one,” she admitted alongside a photograph of John relaxing in their garden.
“Thank you for holding me up.”
Those words offered a moving glimpse into what their lives have looked like away from the cameras — not simply a celebrity couple facing public attention, but a husband supporting his wife through surgery, recovery and uncertainty.
A love story built on friendship
Lisa and John’s relationship stretches back many years.
They first met in 2010 before their friendship eventually developed into romance. After years together, the couple married in October 2019.
Their bond has often appeared grounded in friendship, humour and a shared love of food and family life.
But difficult times can reveal a different side of a relationship.
For Lisa, the past few months seem to have reinforced just how much John’s presence means to her.
Her description of them “holding each other’s hands” feels especially powerful because it says so much with so little.
There may have been fear, difficult conversations and uncertain days behind closed doors, but through it all, Lisa says John remained beside her.
Lisa shares an important message after her diagnosis
While Lisa has spoken openly about the emotional impact of her diagnosis, she has also used her experience to encourage others not to delay routine health checks.
She revealed that her cancer was discovered following a mammogram and stressed how grateful she was that she attended the screening.
Without that mammogram, she said, the cancer might not have been detected when it was.
Lisa has since urged others who are eligible for screening not to put off their appointments.
Her message is simple but important: early detection can make an enormous difference.
Following her announcement, Lisa was overwhelmed by messages from people who had experienced cancer themselves or watched someone they loved go through it.
She thanked everyone for their kindness, saying the response had deeply touched her.
Finding gratitude in the smallest moments
Lisa still has another stage of treatment ahead, but her latest message was not defined by fear.
Instead, it was about gratitude.
Gratitude for early detection.
Gratitude for the support she has received.
And perhaps most personally, gratitude for the man who has stood beside her through some of her hardest days.
On John’s 61st birthday, Lisa did not need grand declarations to explain what their marriage means to her.
A hand held during a frightening moment.
A husband quietly becoming a nurse when she needed care.
A best friend helping her stay standing when life suddenly became uncertain.
And a simple cup of coffee together in their favourite corner of the garden.
After everything they have faced, those everyday moments may now feel more precious than ever.
“I couldn’t have got through these past few months without you by my side,” Lisa wrote.
Sometimes, one sentence tells the whole love story.
