Gino D'Acampo set for TV comeback after ITV AXED him over multiple allegations of 'sexually inappropriate and intimidating behaviour'

Daily Mail​

9 hours ago

Gino D'Acampo is making his TV comeback with a brand new series, just months after being dropped by ITV.
The Italian celebrity chef, 48, had kept a low profile since February, when he was removed from ITV programming following multiple allegations of sexually inappropriate and intimidating behaviour spanning 12 years - claims he has denied.
Now, Gino is set to return to screens in An Italian In Malta, a new travelogue exploring the Mediterranean island. The show is set to air in September.
He told The Mirror: 'The idea is to show everyone all over the world a bit about the country - I want to find the perfect restaurant, the perfect recipe, the perfect spot, I will speak to the local people, what they cook and how they cooked 200 years ago.'
In addition to his new series, the TV chef revealed he's also working on an acting project in Ireland.
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The Italian celebrity chef, 48, had kept a low profile since February, when he was removed from ITV programming following multiple allegations of sexually inappropriate and intimidating behaviour spanning 12 years - claims he has denied (pictured 2023)
He explained: 'I am playing a part in a series, my part is this Italian-American mechanic that is always in trouble with the police or always in trouble with the law and then he became a mechanic and he's helping the main character in the show.
He jokingly added: 'This is acting now, I'm not becoming a real mechanic, I'm useless at stuff like that.'
MailOnline has contacted his representative for comment.
His return to TV comes after MailOnline revealed dozens of people have described his alleged conduct over the past 12 years as 'distressing,' 'unacceptable,' and even 'horrendous.'
According to ITV news, at least one production company was aware of repeated complaints from staff members about D'Acampo's behaviour - yet continued to work with him on further TV projects.
One woman, given the pseudonym Hannah, described a disturbing moment during a magazine shoot in 2011.
She claims that, in front of an entire crew, Gino made an explicit sexual comment, telling her he would 'like to turn me over and f*** me up the a*** against the kitchen counter,' leaving her humiliated.
'I remember a ripple of laughter,' she recalled, while others 'looked nervously into their cups of tea.'
Hannah said the incident left her feeling 'horror' and 'shock' but admitted she was not surprised no one intervened.
Gino has firmly denied all allegations, calling them 'deeply upsetting.'
His legal team said: 'This allegation from almost 15 years ago has never, until now via a media request, been raised or put to Mr D'Acampo. He does not recall it, nor accept that it happened.'
Another woman, given the pseudonym Natalie, recounted an unsettling experience while briefing Gino for a location shoot.
'He opened the door in his boxer shorts, nothing else,' she claimed.
'Then he jumped on the bed, put his leg up and made a crude reference to his private parts, joking about their size.'
Natalie described feeling 'disgusted' and accused the TV chef of using his position to behave inappropriately.
Gino's legal team strongly refuted this version of events, stating: 'To his knowledge, no such allegations have been made against him in relation to 'Gino's Italian Express'.
'This is the first time - six years later - that he has been informed of these alleged incidents, which he categorically denies.'
In yet another claim, a former colleague alleged that in 2019, Gino aggressively confronted a young crew member over an ice cream.
He told The Mirror: 'The idea is to show everyone all over the world a bit about the country - I want to find the perfect restaurant, the perfect recipe, the perfect spot, I will speak to the local people, what they cook and how they cooked 200 years ago' (pictured 2018)
'I was present when Gino said to the runner, "If you don't get me a Cornetto, I will f*** your girlfriend," the woman told ITV News.
Another crew member who witnessed the incident said the remark had 'stuck in my head for years.'
'He was using his power to bully and intimidate us,' she said. 'For what? A cookery programme.'
Gino's representatives responded, saying he was 'mortified' by the accusation and 'does not recall this incident at all.'
A separate claim relates to the filming of Gordon, Gino and Fred's Road Trip in 2018.
A woman, referred to as Lena, recalled: 'Without saying hello or good morning, he just loudly announced he felt like f****** that morning.'
Another crew member claimed Gino made a crude comment about a female colleague's chest, allegedly saying:
'Shouldn't we be talking about her t**? They're perfect, like a mouthful.'
In February it emerged that Objective Media Group, the production company behind Gordon, Gino and Fred, was aware of complaints about Gino as early as 2018.
One woman who worked on Gino's Italian Express told ITV News: 'His 'cheeky chappy' persona allows him to hide in plain sight. If I see him on TV, I have to leave the room.'
Gino, who has built a multi-million-pound career on his larger-than-life personality, has denied all allegations against him.
His legal team said: 'No-one has ever made these complaints directly to Mr D'Acampo. He does not recall making these comments, nor does he accept that they were made.'
ITV News has seen emails from December 2024 confirming concerns were raised with Objective Media Group over Gino's behaviour.
In response, the company admitted that he was 'spoken to' about his off-screen conduct and 'bespoke training' was provided.
A separate statement from ITV stressed: 'We can categorically confirm that this kind of behaviour is not tolerated by ITV.'
Responding to the allegations, in a statement to ITV News, Gino said: 'I have been told by ITN news that allegations have been made about me acting inappropriately, some dating back over ten years ago.
'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.'