Hello, SPRING!

JOHN TORODE and LISA FAULKNER reveal the tasty treats on the menu when their hit series returns

- REBECCA FLETCHER

John Torode and Lisa Faulkner are all smiles when TV Times joins them for a chat about easy springtime dishes.

Excited to tell us all about the upcoming eighth series of their popular ITV1 cookery show John & Lisa's Weekend Kitchen, which is set to return to our screens on Saturday 8 April, the couple are still on cloud nine after John's recent visit to Buckingham Palace, where he was made an MBE.

'It's an incredible honour and I'm pretty buzzed by it,' says MasterChef judge John, 57, who received the award last month for his services to food and charity.

'What's amazing is that I was made an MBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours list of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and invested during King Charles' reign by the Prince of Wales! I feel very humbled.' And I'm very proud of him,' beams actor, cook and author Lisa, 51.

Here, in an exclusive interview, John and Lisa tell us more about the investiture and reveal how the new run of their culinary showcase will bring a taste of spring to our tables...

Huge congratulations on your recent MBE, John!

JOHN Well, thank you very much! I took my daughter with me to Buckingham Palace, before having lunch with Lisa afterwards, and the whole day was brilliant.

I met some extraordinary people who have done extraordinary things and met Prince William, of course, who I'd cooked for years ago at a polo match but never spoken to.

Do you know if he's a good cook?

JOHN I know he cooked for Catherine when they were at university in Scotland...

LISA I love how you call her Catherine now, while we all call her Kate! JOHN I told William, 'You've got my number now, so if you want to learn, I'd be happy to teach you!"

He can also learn loads from your new series! Can you believe it's your eighth?