John Torode: I felt I had 9 lives after horror horse fall

Presenters open up on double riding accident

- TOM BRYANT

JOHN Torode and wife Lisa Faulkner have spoken for the first time about a horrifying horse riding accident which left the MasterChef judge in hospital.

The chef and TV presenter was battered and bruised after twice being thrown from the saddle.

And he says he was lucky not to have been more seriously injured.

John, 59, recalls: "I felt like I had nine lives after I fell off."

Actress, presenter and chef Lisa, 52, adds: "He got thrown off twice. It was pretty awful."

After the accident, on Boxing Day in 2016, John was pictured in his hospital bed at St Mary's in Paddington, Central London.

The couple did not reveal any more details in public at the time but John thanked doctors and nurses.

He told fans: "I really am OK but a massive thank-you to St Mary's and the NHS for everything."

The couple were talking as their hit ITV show, John & Lisa's Weekend Kitchen, returns for its ninth series.

They have also written their first cookbook together to accompany the Saturday morning programme.