Gino D'Acampo faces more 'inappropriate behaviour' claims as 40 people come forward
Gino D'Acampo faces more 'inappropriate behaviour' claims as 40 people come forward
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A woman who accused Gino D'Acampo of "inappropriate and intimidating behaviour" has been left "disappointed" by his denial. 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 has strongly denied all allegations against him, saying. he finds them deeply upsetting.
ITV News said tonight they had now spoken to "over 40 people" in their investigation, who have either witnessed or experienced alleged inappropriate and intimidating behaviour by Gino. And Gino's TV shows have been removed from the ITV schedule as a result. But one woman involved in the investigation, known as 'Hannah' stood her ground and spoke again to ITV News tonight. She said: "It is all very disappointing, he could have come out and said he was really sorry, that he was going to take some time out and reflect on what had happened and what he's been accused of. But what he should have said initially that he was sorry that he has hurt all these people. It is classic bully behaviour.".
One woman who worked with Gino in 2018 said: "It took a lot of courage to stand up and be counted firstly by complaining about Gino’s behaviour on a production in 2018 and to then follow that up in 2024 to alleviate my concerns that his behaviour continued. I was pleased to hear from the production company that he had been spoken to. To then hear his blanket denial was disappointing. It would be good to see that production company remind Gino of exactly what processes took place in order to jog his memory.".
The outlet also said they had spoken to people who had had positive experiences with him. In a statement to ITV News via his legal team, D'Acampo "firmly denied" the "deeply upsetting" allegations. In response to all allegations, Gino told ITV News: "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.".
Dozens of people have detailed experiences described variously as "unacceptable," "distressing" and "horrendous" while working with him over a period spanning more than 12 years. The TV chef who has appeared on shows including ITV's Family Fortunes and Gino and Fred: Emission Impossible. He faces accusations dating back over ten years. Individuals are said to have been fearful of any consequences if they ever spoke of their alleged encounters with the 48-year-old.
One woman, who has been named as Hannah to protect her identity has told an investigation that she was on the receiving end of vulgar comments from Gino in 2011. She claims Mr D'Acampo said he would "like to turn me over and f*** me up the a*** against the kitchen counter." The woman, whose identity has been protected claims that there were laughs from crew members after he made the comment. But she says she saw the "shock" and "horror", claiming his alleged behaviour made her feel "very, very, very small.".
Speaking to ITV News Correspondent Sejal Karia, Hannah added: "I definitely saw it as some kind of power play. The very act of what he said was aggressive. He did not think that was an inappropriate thing to say to me.". In response, Gino's legal representatives told the outlet: " 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.".
