Joel Dommett has made it clear that he would “love” to take over as host of Family Fortunes, following the controversy surrounding current presenter Gino D’Acampo.
The 39-year-old comedian, who is best known for hosting The Masked Singer and I’m A Celebrity:
Unpacked, expressed his admiration for the popular game show and his interest in stepping into D’Acampo’s shoes.
D’Acampo, 48, is currently facing multiple allegations of inappropriate and “distressing” behavior towards colleagues spanning over a decade.
The accusations include claims of sexual misconduct, which the chef has strongly denied.
In light of the ongoing investigation, ITV has pulled pre-recorded episodes of Family Fortunes, which D’Acampo has been hosting since 2020, from its programming schedule.
Dommett has spoken candidly about his enthusiasm for Family Fortunes, describing it as the “best show on telly.” On the Always Be Comedy podcast, he revealed his desire to step into the role, saying, “Now Gino D’Acampo is gone, maybe I’ve got the chance to slide in. I’ve been waiting for that.” The comedian emphasized that he admires the show’s format, explaining, “The perfect format is where the right answer or wrong answer are both satisfying, but that’s so hard to achieve.”
Family Fortunes, which originated in the UK in 1980, involves two families competing against each other to guess the most popular answers to survey questions. The winner receives a cash prize, making the show a classic in British television. Over the years, Family Fortunes has seen various hosts, including Bob Monkhouse, Les Dennis, and Max Bygraves. Vernon Kay hosted an All-Stars version of the show between 2006 and 2015, while D’Acampo took on the role of presenter when the show returned in 2020. However, the current scandal has left D’Acampo’s future with the program uncertain.
While Dommett has voiced his admiration for the UK version, he also shared that he would like to bring a unique twist to the format, drawing inspiration from the American version of the show, Family Feud. He expressed a particular fondness for the American version, which first aired in 1976 and is known for its lively and unpredictable atmosphere. “I really think Family Feud, the American version, is the best telly show in the world,” Dommett said, suggesting that he would adapt the format to suit his own style. He added, “The American one leads you down a fun garden path with every answer,” referencing how contestants sometimes provide unexpected answers that lead to humorous moments.
In one of his examples, Dommett pointed to a question like “name a race,” where the typical answer might be “the 100 metres” or “a heptathlon,” but contestants might give offbeat responses like “Chinese people,” which would spark laughter and surprise. Dommett believes that this unpredictability is a key part of what makes Family Feud enjoyable, and he would incorporate this dynamic into the UK version of the show.
As ITV continues to handle the fallout from the allegations against D’Acampo, Dommett’s comments have stirred speculation about who will replace him on Family Fortunes if the current presenter is sidelined. While ITV has not yet made an official statement on D’Acampo’s future with the show, it’s clear that Dommett’s playful remarks about hosting Family Fortunes have sparked interest.
The allegations against D’Acampo have been detailed in an ITV News investigation, which reported that the chef made inappropriate sexual comments to colleagues, including one incident in 2011 where he allegedly told a female coworker he would “like to turn me over and f*** me up the a*** against the kitchen counter.” The investigation also revealed other instances where D’Acampo is accused of making crude remarks about co-stars, including whether he would sleep with This Morning host Holly Willoughby or her close friend, Fearne Cotton.
In response to the allegations, D’Acampo’s legal team issued a statement firmly denying the claims, calling them “deeply upsetting.” The chef stated, “I have never been made aware of these matters previously, and the allegations are firmly denied.” He added, “I would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone. This is simply not in my nature. I do not recognize the version of events being put to me.”
As the situation unfolds, Joel Dommett’s potential involvement in Family Fortunes could be one of the many changes ITV will make in light of the ongoing controversy. With Dommett’s established TV presence and his enthusiasm for the show, he is undoubtedly a popular figure in the running for the role. However, only time will tell whether he will get the opportunity to host the game show that has become a staple of British television for decades.
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