Celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo has expressed his gratitude to fans as he returned to work despite facing allegations of misconduct.
The 48-year-old television personality, best known for his roles on ITV’s This Morning and other popular programmes,
has been accused of “sexually inappropriate” behavior over nearly 15 years following an ITV News investigation.
D’Acampo has strongly denied these allegations, calling them “deeply upsetting.”
Gino Returns to Public Appearances
Over the weekend, D’Acampo made his first public appearance since the allegations surfaced, promoting his latest book, Gino’s Air Fryer Cookbook, at an Asda store.
He shared a video on Instagram of himself interacting with fans, signing books, and taking selfies with those who had lined up to meet him. He captioned the post:
“Always fantastic to meet my fans, you guys are just awesome. Thank you ASDA for having us…”
Despite the ongoing controversy, the event appeared to draw a warm reception, with fans eager to see him.
Allegations of Misconduct
D’Acampo is facing accusations from multiple individuals who claim he engaged in inappropriate behavior on the sets of various television shows. According to reports, these allegations date back more than a decade, with some individuals stating they were hesitant to speak out earlier due to fear of consequences.
The ITV investigation has highlighted claims from several people, including a woman referred to as Hannah, who alleged that D’Acampo made an explicit and inappropriate remark toward her in 2011. Speaking to ITV News, she recalled an incident where he allegedly made a graphic sexual comment while on set. She described how members of the crew laughed at the remark, making her feel humiliated.
“I definitely saw it as some kind of power play,” she explained, adding that she felt powerless in the moment.
D’Acampo Issues a Strong Denial
In response to the allegations, D’Acampo has maintained his innocence, releasing a statement in which he refuted the claims. He emphasized that he had never been made aware of such accusations before and that they were entirely false.
“I have been told by ITN news that allegations have been made about me acting inappropriately, some dating back over ten years ago,” he stated. “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.”
D’Acampo further pointed out that he had continued to receive backing from ITV executives throughout his career, stating:
“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.”
He also emphasized his professional history and personal life, highlighting that he had worked with over 1,500 individuals across nearly 80 productions.
“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 is deeply upsetting.”
D’Acampo’s Representatives Respond
D’Acampo’s representatives have also responded to the allegations, particularly the claim from Hannah regarding the alleged remark made in 2011. His team dismissed the claim, stating:
“This allegation from almost 15 years ago has never, until now via a media request for comment, been raised or put to Mr D’Acampo. He does not recall it, nor accept that this happened. Mr D’Acampo is horrified to be accused of ‘power play’ and an ‘aggressive act’. He emphatically and unequivocally denies these allegations.”
ITV’s Stance and Industry Reaction
The controversy surrounding D’Acampo has prompted ITV to pull his various shows from their schedule while the situation unfolds. The network has not made any definitive statements about his future but has previously stated that they take all allegations seriously and will follow due process.
The industry response has been divided, with some backing the chef’s denial, while others have called for a thorough investigation into the claims. This situation comes as ITV faces increasing scrutiny over how it handles misconduct allegations involving high-profile figures.
What’s Next for Gino D’Acampo?
While D’Acampo continues to promote his latest book and engage with fans, the allegations against him remain a serious issue. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen how the claims will impact his career in the long run.
For now, the celebrity chef is focusing on his work, insisting that he has done nothing wrong. However, with ITV continuing to evaluate the situation, the future of his television career remains uncertain.
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