Latest news with #UpmarketLeisure
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gino D'Acampo's TV return revealed as chef launches new series after being axed by ITV
GINO D'Acampo's TV return has been revealed, as the chef launches a new series after being axed by ITV. The former This Morning star had been lying low since being removed from ITV programming in February. 3 In February, Gino was accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour over 12 years and ITV has vowed not to use him in future. The married dad of three denies the claims. In May, his restaurant chain was saved when Upmarket Leisure — the company controlling the five venues — was bought out of administration — in a £5million deal that saved 400 jobs. Now, Gino is set for a telly return too, with a show named An Italian In Malta. Gino will embark on a travelogue to the Mediterranean island, and it will air in September. Of the new show, Gino 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.' And the TV chef has another project quietly going on in the background too - an acting project in Ireland. Gino will be playing the part of a mechanic for the scripted role, and continued to tell the publication: '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. 'This is acting now, I'm not becoming a real mechanic, I'm useless at stuff like that.' The Sun has contacted Gino's representative for comment. Gino D'Acampo makes string of smutty remarks during radio interview as he returns to public eye following ITV axe His TV return comes after he made a smutty return to the public eye — by making lewd comments about women. The Italian, 48, said during a radio interview that men do not like skinny women — as they want to have 'things to grab'. Responding when one of the presenters, named Nicole, said that she regularly dieted, he said: 'Only dogs like bones. 'A real man, he wants the meat, you know, the things to grab. Don't get too skinny, otherwise it's like, no.' During the interview he also said: 'I'm going to tell you a secret, Italian food is like Italian men, minimum effort, maximum satisfaction.' He added during the show last Wednesday: 'Now do you understand that Nicole, or do I need to explain that?' She replied: 'I think it was very clear.' Later he also told her: 'You're too pretty for radio.' Earlier, asked if he recognised a male guest in the studio, he said: 'Do I know your mum? 'Did I take your mama out for dinner or something? I meet a lot of people and usually the ones I remember are blonde, they're tall — we do an activity together.'
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Eye-watering sum scandal-hit Gino D'Acampo's restaurant empire owed when it plunged into administration revealed
GINO D'Acampo's restaurant empire owed £7million when it plunged into administration, The Sun can reveal. The scandal-hit TV chef's chain of eateries was saved from the brink of closure last month in a £5million buyout. Controlling company Upmarket Leisure owed £5.3million to HMRC and almost £2million to creditors. Among them were food suppliers owed almost £500,000, a wine dealer due £302,000 and a pasta company expecting £4,809. A statement of affairs shows Upmarket only has £117,000 in cash at the bank and £320,000 in other assets to try to cover its debts. It lists D'Acampo, 48, as a ten per cent shareholder of the business, which ran five venues across London, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester. HMRC had issued a petition to wind up Upmarket at the High Court and administrators were appointed after a previous sale fell through. Staff were warned about a delay in wages being paid. But the jobs of all 400 employees were saved when the company was bought out in May. Last year, the Italian was unable to pay staff and the taxman after his My Pasta Bar chain wound up with around £5million losses. It comes after D'Acampo was accused of years of sexually inappropriate behaviour, which he denies. ITV has vowed to stop using him. Gino D'Acampo makes string of smutty remarks during radio interview as he returns to public eye following ITV axe 1
