Gino D’Acampo, the popular Italian TV chef known for his lively and humorous on-screen presence,
remains at the center of controversy following allegations of misconduct spanning more than a decade.
Despite ITV’s decision to pull his shows from its schedules, UKTV continues to air reruns of his series, raising questions about the handling of such allegations in the television industry.
UKTV Maintains Gino D’Acampo’s Programming
According to TV Zone, UKTV has opted not to follow ITV’s lead, with the network still broadcasting back-to-back episodes of Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape.
A post shared on X (formerly Twitter) by TV Zone highlighted this stance, stating:
“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.”
A spokesperson for UKTV addressed the situation, stating that while they currently have no plans to remove archived content featuring D’Acampo, they will keep the situation “under review.” This decision contrasts sharply with ITV’s move to distance itself from the chef following allegations described as “distressing” and “unacceptable” by multiple sources.
ITV Removes D’Acampo’s Shows from Schedules
ITV took a decisive step last week, removing episodes of Gino’s Italy: Secrets of the South from its ITVBe schedule. The program, which was originally set to air on Sunday evening, was replaced with an episode of Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes. Additionally, ITV pulled Family Fortunes, which D’Acampo hosted, and replaced it with Wheel of Fortune featuring Graham Norton.
Insiders suggest that ITV had already begun to distance itself from the chef, especially in light of recent controversies involving other television personalities, including former MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace and This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield.
The Allegations Against Gino D’Acampo
The allegations against D’Acampo, spanning 12 years, involve claims of sexually inappropriate and aggressive behavior on various television sets, including Gino’s Italian Express, Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip, and Emission Impossible. An ITV News investigation uncovered multiple accusations from individuals who worked with him, though many had not reported the incidents at the time due to fear of professional repercussions.
Women’s rights groups have criticized D’Acampo, with Dr. Charlotte Proudman, founder of Right to Equality, expressing concerns over networks continuing to air his shows.
“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.”
Jemima Olchawski, CEO of the Fawcett Society, echoed these sentiments, stating that such allegations have no place in society and that all workplaces should prioritize safe environments for employees.
Gino D’Acampo’s Response
D’Acampo has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “deeply upsetting” and asserting that such behavior is “simply not in my nature.” However, despite his denial, the controversy continues to grow, with resurfaced footage from past television appearances drawing further scrutiny.
Resurfaced Clips Add to the Controversy
Amid the ongoing scandal, past clips of D’Acampo’s television appearances have resurfaced, raising concerns about his on-screen behavior. One clip from Celebrity Juice in 2010 shows him making a lewd remark about team captain Fearne Cotton. In the segment, a pizza was made to resemble Cotton’s face, prompting host Keith Lemon to joke about the likeness. D’Acampo then made an explicit comment regarding her nostrils, leaving Cotton and co-host Holly Willoughby visibly shocked.
Another clip from This Morning in 2021 has also resurfaced, in which D’Acampo made a crude remark about Holly Willoughby while using her body to demonstrate a map of Italy. The joke, which referenced her intimate areas, was met with embarrassment from Willoughby and outrage from viewers at the time.
ITV’s Statement on the Allegations
ITV has since issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations:
“All of the concerns and complaints raised by those who have spoken to ITN [the producer of ITV News] describe behavior 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.”
While ITV is facing pressure to permanently sever ties with D’Acampo, UKTV’s continued airing of his shows signals a different approach. Whether the network will ultimately reconsider its decision remains to be seen as the scandal continues to unfold.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Gino D’Acampo raises broader questions about accountability and the responsibilities of television networks when handling misconduct allegations. While ITV has taken swift action, UKTV’s decision to continue airing his programs has sparked debate about how the industry should respond to such claims. With increasing scrutiny from the public and advocacy groups, it remains uncertain how long D’Acampo’s presence will persist on UKTV.
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