Woman claims Gino D'Acampo wanted to perform crude sex act in kitchen

Gino D'Acampo is facing claims from a woman that he wanted to perform a sex act while in a kitchen. The TV chef has been accused of "distressing" and "sexually inappropriate" behaviour in an ITV News probe. 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. Gino has "firmly denied" the allegations made by "dozens" of people", adding that they were "deeply upsetting". A woman named Hannah, to protect her identity, has spoke of a highly sexualised comment allegedly made by Gino that was directed at her. They were reportedly on the set of a magazine photo shoot in 2011 when the alleged incident happened.

Hannah has claimed Gino said he would "like to turn me over and f*** me up the a*** against the kitchen counter." She said the comment was made in front of the entire crew and there was "a ripple of laughs". The woman also said the people stood beside her "looked nervously into their cups of tea". She said she felt "horror" and "shock" at the comment, yet wasn’t surprised that nobody else called it out. Hannah told ITV News Correspondent Sejal Karia: "I definitely saw it as some kind of power play. The very act of what he said was aggressive." She added it made her feel "very, very, very small...I felt like Gino, in that moment, was very entitled and he felt very safe. He did not think that was an inappropriate thing to say to me.".

A statement provided to ITV News by Gino D'Acampo's legal team, said: “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.".

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.".