TV chef Gino D'Acampo declared "I haven't been cancelled yet" just months before he was dropped by ITV following allegations about his behaviour. The 48-year-old Italian chef has been accused of alleged "distressing" and "sexually inappropriate" behaviour spanning more than 12 years. The claims came to light in an investigation published by ITV News on Thursday, which said it had spoken to "dozens" of people who accused him of "unacceptable", "distressing" and "horrendous" comments. He strongly denies all the claims.
Gino's TV shows have now been removed from the ITV schedule as a result. The Italian chef has firmly denied all allegations against him, saying he finds them deeply upsetting. In response to all allegations, Gino said: "I have been told by ITN news that allegations have been made about me acting inappropriately, some dating back over ten years ago. 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.
"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. 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 against is deeply upsetting.".
But in an interview in October 2024 - less than four months before the ITV News investigation became public - Gino joked about being "the most censored man on TV" and said TV bigwigs often "freak out" when they give him a show because the married dad-of-three "doesn't know where to draw the line". The chef - who shares children Luciano, 21, Rocco, 19, and 12-year-old Mia with his wife of 22 years, Jessica - said in a recent chat with Heatworld that he had "no interest" in drawing a line under any of his shocking behaviour. He protested: "ITV freak out when they give me a show, but they know that I mean well and whatever I say, it comes from a good place. I don’t do anything I wouldn't do in everyday life.".
Asked if he had ever said or done anything he regretted in his 15-year TV career, Gino declared: "No. If I said it, I meant it, and if I meant it, then it’s cool. Without sounding like an asshole, I don’t care what people have to say about me. On social media, for example, why would I even bother reading comments and replying? Of course, there are some people who are going to love what you do and some people who are going to hate it.".
Though he acknowledges he isn't everyone's cup of tea, he claimed that for him "it's not about awards, it's not about money, it's not about fame", but rather "being able to do something that you like for so many years". He added: "I am super-thankful for it. I think there are very few people who have a career in the spotlight the way I have it, because I don’t really care about it. I just go on with my life.
"And if the moment comes that someone doesn’t like me on television any more, so be it. Thinking about how many people have been cancelled nowadays, who come out of the spotlight for one reason or another, right or wrong... Well, I’m still here, and I have no intention of going anywhere.". Do you have a story to share? Email me at katie.wilson01@reachplc.com. Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.
