Masterchef judge John Torode is dating actress Lisa Faulkner, the winner of the celebrity version of the show.

The pair were snapped by the Mirror leaving John's home together on Friday evening, and were later seen leaving the property again on Saturday afternoon.

The couple originally met when Lisa took part in the cookery programme and have remained friends since. Lisa has gone on to have a successful career in the kitchen, releasing a cookery book and working with John on one of his London restaurants.

Lisa has recently split from her husband, former Eastenders actor Chris Hoghill, with friends saying their decision to break up came from strains in their relationship. John is himself getting over a split, as he also parted ways with his wife Jessica in January.

A friend of Lisa told the newspaper: "Lisa and Chris split up several months ago. She has been friends with John for a long time. But in recent weeks they have become close and are spending more and more time together.

"It is early days but Lisa's close family and friends are aware of the relationship and just want her to be happy."

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• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  Left to Right: Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010, Steve Groves, MasterChef The Professionals champion 2009 and Dhruv Baker, Masterchef winner 2010 are all seen at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010, cooking at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  Left to Right: Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010, Steve Groves, MasterChef The Professionals champion 2009 and Dhruv Baker, Masterchef winner 2010 are all seen at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010 and Dhruv Baker, Masterchef winner 2010, cooking at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  Left to Right: Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010, Steve Groves, MasterChef The Professionals champion 2009 and Dhruv Baker, Masterchef winner 2010 are all seen at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  (left to right) Steve Groves, MasterChef The Professionals champion 2009, Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010 and Dhruv Baker, Masterchef winner 2010, cooking at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010 and Dhruv Baker, Masterchef winner 2010, cooking at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010 and Dhruv Baker, Masterchef winner 2010, at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010, cooking at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• MasterChef pop-up restaurant

  (left to right) Steve Groves, MasterChef The Professionals champion 2009, Lisa Faulkner, Celebrity MasterChef winner 2010 and Dhruv Baker, Masterchef winner 2010, cooking at the MasterChef Pop Up restaurant at Meza, Soho.

• Lisa Faulkner cooks for Absoulte Radio - London

  Guest Lisa Faulkner - the winner of Celebrity MasterChef - cooks a breakfast of scrambled eggs and Bloody Marys, at Absolute Radio in Soho, central London.

The source added that Lisa and her former husband are keen to stay on good terms for their adopted daughter Billie. John also has four children of his own from two previous marriages.