TW: Mentions of alleged sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour
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TV chef Gino D’Acampo has been accused of inappropriate behaviour spanning more than a decade. An ITV News investigation has uncovered ‘dozens’ of claims against him, with allegations ranging from sexualised language to aggressive conduct.
The network has since pulled reruns of his shows, and other production companies are reviewing their association with the chef. As per The Guardian, D’Acampo has firmly denied the accusations, calling them ‘deeply upsetting’ and ‘simply not in my nature’.
This comes after past scandals involving celebs like Phillip Schofield, David Walliams, Jermaine Jenas and Huw Edwards have drawn more attention and media scrutiny to such matters.
The scandal has put his long-standing television career in jeopardy, with ITV and other networks distancing themselves from him amid the controversy.
Unveiling allegations against Gino D’Acampo
The allegations against D’Acampo involve multiple women who have worked with him on various productions. According to ITV News, the claims describe his behaviour as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘distressing’.
Allegations against D’Acampo have surfaced in connection with several shows, including Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip (2018), Gino’s Italian Express, Gino’s Italy – Like Mamma Used to Make, Gino’s Italian Escape, Family Fortunes, and his appearances as a regular chef contributor on This Morning. Additionally, one incident is alleged to have taken place during a magazine shoot in 2011.
Here are some of the accusations made against him:
Inappropriate behaviour
Among the accusations, a woman, under the pseudonym Natalie, claimed that D’Acampo exposed himself while preparing for a shoot, making crude jokes about his genitalia. She alleges:
He opened the door in his boxer shorts, nothing else. And jumped on the bed and was sort of - leg up.
We had to sort of sit there facing him and he made, you know, reference to his d**k, basically saying, ‘Oh, don't worry, it's only small’, and sort of flicking it.’
The woman was left ‘disgusted’ by his action and considered quitting her work as she didn’t want to be ‘anywhere near him.’
Threats to staff
A former colleague has alleged that D’Acampo threatened a young crew member in 2019 over an ice cream. Reportedly, two crew members witnessed the said incident where D’Acampo told a runner:
If you don't get me a Cornetto, I will f**k your girlfriend.
One witness claimed he used his power to bully and intimidate the crew members.
Crude remarks about female colleagues
A woman using the pseudonym Hannah alleged that D’Acampo made an explicit sexual comment toward her during a magazine shoot in 2011, reports The Standard. She claimed the celebrity chef humiliated her in front of a whole crew when he said:
[He would] like to turn me over and f**k me up the a**e against the kitchen counter.
She shared that no one stepped in to stop and the comment was met with nervous laughter. She said:
I remember a ripple of laughter.
Additionally, several women who worked on Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip in 2018 alleged that he made crude remarks about female colleagues. One woman recalled him stating:
Without saying hello or good morning, he just loudly announced he felt like f**k**g that morning.
Another claimed he made a lewd comment about a co-worker’s chest. A crew member alleges:
Shouldn't we be talking about her t*ts? They're perfect, like a mouthful.
Emails obtained by ITV News revealed that production company Objective Media Group was aware of concerns regarding D’Acampo’s behaviour as early as 2018. The company reportedly ‘spoke to him’ and provided ‘bespoke training’ regarding workplace conduct.
What has Gino D’Acampo said about the allegations?
According to The Guardian, D’Acampo has strongly denied all claims made against him. In a statement to ITV News, he said:
I have never been made aware of these matters previously and the allegations are firmly denied. I would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone. This is simply not in my nature. I do not recognise the version of events being put to me.
Not only have these allegations never been raised with me before, I have been repeatedly supported by executives at the highest level and was commissioned on prime-time programmes during the period in which it is now suggested I was acting inappropriately.
I am a father, husband and have worked with well over 1,500 people on around 80 productions in my career, which I have been so proud of. I take such matters extremely seriously and the suggestion that I have acted in an improper way against is deeply upsetting.
His legal team also issued a statement categorically rejecting the accusations, labelling some of them ‘fabricated works of fiction’. They emphasised that no prior complaints had been made and that D’Acampo had continued to be commissioned for prime-time shows despite the alleged incidents.
ITV, however, has taken a firm stance. A spokesperson stated:
All of the concerns and complaints raised by those who have spoken to ITN describe behaviour which is inappropriate and unacceptable. Most of them were not reported to ITV at the time. Where issues have been raised with ITV, action has been taken.
Objective Media Group, MultiStory Media, and Studio Ramsay—companies involved in D’Acampo’s productions—also issued statements acknowledging the allegations and said they were reviewing the concerns.
Gino D’Acampo’s career in jeopardy
The scandal has significantly impacted D’Acampo’s television career. ITV has pulled reruns of his shows, including Gino’s Italian Escape and Gino’s Italy: Secrets of the South. Family Fortunes, which he hosted, has also been removed from the network’s schedule, reports The Independent.
ITV has reportedly decided not to renew his contracts, stating they have ‘no plans’ to work with him in the future.
Beyond television, the controversy has placed his business ventures at risk. Meliá Hotels, which has partnered with D’Acampo on multiple restaurants in Liverpool, Manchester, and London, has announced that it is ‘closely monitoring the situation’. The company told The Sun:
We are aware of the allegations and we are closely monitoring the situation. Our company takes such matters very seriously.
We have a strict code of ethics and are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment in all our hotels. At this time, we have no further comments.
This article has been created with the help of AI.
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Sources used:
The Standard: All the complaints made against Gino D’Acampo as TV chef denies inappropriate behaviour claims
The Guardian: Gino D’Acampo denies ‘dozens’ of claims of misconduct
The Independent: Gino D’Acampo shows axed by ITV following ‘sexually inappropriate’ behaviour accusations
The Sun: Gino D’Acampo’s future with huge hotel chain at risk over TV scandal as it says it’s ‘taking it very seriously’
