Gino D’Acampo’s shows will continue to air on UKTV despite ITV dropping the Italian chef from schedules amid ‘dozens’ of misconduct claims.
The Italian TV star, 48, known for his cheeky on-screen persona, is now at the centre allegations from dozens of people who describe his alleged conduct over the past 12 years as ‘distressing,’ ‘unacceptable,’ and even ‘horrendous’.
Gino has ‘firmly denied’ the claims, saying they were ‘simply not in my nature’ and describing them as ‘deeply upsetting’.
According to TV Zone, UKTV is currently airing back to back repeats of Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape despite accusations of ‘sexually inappropriate’ behaviour spanning 12 years.
The post shared on X by TV Zone read: ‘UKTV not following ITV’s lead in dropping programming with Gino D’Acampo. U&Dave currently airing back-to-back repeats of Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape.’
Two episodes of Gino’s Italy: Secrets of the South, were due to be shown on ITVBe between 6pm and 7pm on Sunday, but was replaced by an episode of Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes.
Gino D’Acampo’s shows will continue to air on UKTV despite ITV dropping the Italian chef from schedules amid ‘dozens’ of misconduct claims
The Italian TV star, known for his cheeky on-screen persona, is now at the centre allegations from dozens of people who describe his alleged conduct over the past 12 years as ‘distressing,’ ‘unacceptable,’ and even ‘horrendous’ (pictured in 2017)
The post shared on X by TV Zone read: ‘UKTV not following ITV’s lead in dropping programming with Gino D’Acampo. U&Dave currently airing back-to-back repeats of Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape’
ITV also dropped Family Fortunes, hosted by Gino, and replaced it with Wheel of Fortune with Graham Norton on ITV2 last week and at the same time on Monday evening.
Sources told MailOnline that ITV began to ease out Gino in the wake of the scandal that engulfed the BBC over MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace, especially after Phillip Schofield’s bitter exit from This Morning.
But amid questions about why they didn’t raise incidents spanning 12 years, most of the women told ITV News they were ‘too afraid’ to make complaints about D’Acampo because they were self-employed and feared being ostracised in TV.
Women’s groups have slammed the chef amid claims he used sexualised and aggressive language on sets including Gino’s Italian Express, Gordon, Gino And Fred’s Road Trip, and Emission Impossible.
An investigation by ITV News found ‘dozens’ of allegations of misconduct against the chef during filming, with his behaviour described as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘distressing’ by his accusers.
However, despite changing its upcoming schedules last week to ensure that Gino will not appear on TV screens in the next ten days, ITV last week had not removed shows fronted by him on its streaming platform ITVX.
Dr Charlotte Proudman, the founder of Right to Equality, said: ‘It is particularly concerning that ITV continues to platform D’Acampo’s shows on ITVX – including those where complaints were reportedly made.
‘This sends a damaging message to victims and the wider industry: that commercial interests outweigh accountability of potential sexual predators.
UKTV is reportedly airing back to back repeats of Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape (pictured) despite accusations of ‘sexually inappropriate’ behaviour spanning 12 years
Despite changing its upcoming schedules last week to ensure that Gino will not appear on TV screens in the next ten days, ITV had not removed shows fronted by him on its streaming platform ITVX
Dr Charlotte Proudman, the founder of Right to Equality, said: ‘It is particularly concerning that ITV continues to platform D’Acampo’s shows on ITVX – including those where complaints were reportedly made’
‘ITV must answer for how this was allowed to happen and why women were turned away and ignored, allowing sexual misconduct to continue with impunity.
Jemima Olchawski, CEO of the Fawcett Society, said the allegations were ‘shocking and should have no place in our society’.
‘We need all employers to ensure their workplace culture does not support this toxic behaviour,’ she added.
Victims of Gino’s alleged vile behaviour have accused ITV and other production companies of ‘furiously protecting’ the presenter for fear of losing financial investment.
A statement by ITV said: ‘All of the concerns and complaints raised by those who have spoken to ITN [the producer of ITV News] describe behaviour which is inappropriate and unacceptable.
‘Most were not reported to ITV at the time. Where issues have been raised with ITV action has been taken.’
Amid the ITV News investigation, a clip from Celebrity Juice has reemerged, of him making a lewd comment about rival team captain Fearne Cotton’s looks.
In the segment from 2010, Ferne’s face had been recreated on a pizza, with host Keith Lemon – played by comedian Leigh Francis – joking: ‘Look at the likeness!’.
Gino D’Acampo left Fearne Cotton (pictured) and Holly Willoughby speechless with a vile X-rated joke in a resurfaced clip as he faces allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour
Gino, who was sat next to his captain Holly said: ‘I have a theory and I’m sorry, you know how much I like you, right, but I think when you have big nostrils, actually you can suck like f***’.
Fearne, 43, was left stunned as her mouth fell open while Holly Willoughby, also 43, raised her hands to her face while the audience chanted the chef’s name.
Gino continued: ‘It’s because you can breathe easier’, to which Fearne replied: ‘Alright, you don’t need to elaborate!’.
He went on: ‘It’s just a theory I have. It’s the old Italian wisdom. It was a compliment’.
It comes after another clip from This Morning in November 2021, Gino joked about Holly’s genitals, which outraged viewers at the time.
The host was left red-faced as Gino made a crude reference to her intimate areas while he used her body to illustrate a map of Italy.
Gino first joked that her bellybutton was Rome before Phillip Schofield jumped in and remarked: ‘I’m very concerned if he’s going to talk about Sicily here.’
But Gino continued: ‘No, Sicily is all the way down here. But if your bellybutton is Rome, I was born in Naples, which is on your side.
‘But I went to school where Vesuvius is. It’s more inland so I can technically say I spent my youth training and playing around… your vagina.’
Holly was left shocked by the crude remark and shrieked: ‘Oh my God!’
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