Celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo has called on ITV to reach out to him following the latest allegations of inappropriate behavior that have emerged,
which have caused significant distress to both him and his family.
The 48-year-old star, best known for his appearances on This Morning and I’m a Celebrity…
Get Me Out of Here!, expressed concern over how these accusations are impacting his loved ones.
He also assured the public of his willingness to cooperate fully with any investigations into the claims.
The allegations, which D’Acampo has vehemently denied,
first came to light earlier this month when ITV News reported that several former staff members and freelancers had come forward to describe “unacceptable,” “distressing,” and “horrendous” behavior from the chef during his time working on ITV productions. These allegations span over a 12-year period and have led to D’Acampo’s shows being pulled from ITV’s schedule.
A new allegation emerged this weekend, further escalating the situation. A producer who worked with D’Acampo on the ITV show Saturday Cooks! claimed that during a live filming session, Gino asked to draw a picture of her. Initially expecting a harmless caricature, the producer said she was shocked and humiliated when D’Acampo instead drew an explicit image of a woman. This incident reportedly took place in front of the production team on the studio floor.
In addition to this accusation, D’Acampo’s name was linked to another crude remark, allegedly made about Great British Bake Off star Mary Berry. However, D’Acampo’s team has strongly rejected these claims, stating that he holds the utmost respect for Berry and that they have always shared a positive working relationship.
In response to the allegations, D’Acampo’s legal team issued a statement claiming that he was only made aware of the complaints on February 22, 2025, after being contacted by The Sun. According to the statement, the accusations have been vague, with no specific individuals or dates mentioned, and have never been brought to his attention before. The chef categorically denies any wrongdoing, asserting that he does not recall the alleged events and would never act in a way that would upset or distress anyone.
He also expressed deep concern over how these allegations are affecting his family. “I am deeply worried about the immense and escalating distress that these allegations are having on my family,” he said in a statement. D’Acampo is urging ITV to contact him directly so he can fully cooperate with any investigation, reaffirming his commitment to resolving the matter.
ITV has responded to the situation by reiterating its commitment to a safe and respectful working environment. In a statement, the network emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior and confirmed that any complaints will be handled in accordance with its robust complaint procedures. ITV also announced the establishment of a Complaints Handling Unit in 2024 to manage complaints about on-screen talent, and stressed that the behavior described in the allegations is unacceptable.
As a result of the allegations, ITV has pulled several of D’Acampo’s shows from its schedule, including repeats of Family Fortunes and Gino’s Italy: Secrets of the South. The network also made adjustments to its programming, replacing D’Acampo’s shows with other content such as Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes and Wheel of Fortune.
The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) has expressed concern about the allegations, with Philippa Childs, head of Bectu, a union representing workers in the broadcasting sector, calling the claims “very serious.” Childs also highlighted the importance of ensuring that employees in the entertainment industry feel empowered to report inappropriate behavior without fear of retaliation or damage to their careers.
D’Acampo’s legal team has strongly denied the accusations, calling them “deeply upsetting” and “simply not in my nature.” They also pointed out that no such allegations were raised at the time of the alleged incidents, and that D’Acampo had received ongoing support from ITV executives throughout his career. They described the allegations as a “fabricated work of fiction” and reiterated that D’Acampo has never been aware of any complaints about his behavior.
The ongoing situation has put a spotlight on workplace culture within the television industry. ITV has pledged to investigate the claims thoroughly, and the results of the investigation will likely have a significant impact on D’Acampo’s career moving forward. As the situation develops, both ITV and D’Acampo’s legal team have made it clear that they are committed to addressing the matter in a responsible and transparent manner.
