ITV has removed all shows featuring Gino D’Acampo from its upcoming schedules, following a series of sexual misconduct allegations that have surfaced against the celebrity chef.
The accusations, which span over 12 years, claim that D’Acampo displayed inappropriate behavior on various sets during his time filming food and travel shows.
The chef, who is 48 years old, has firmly denied the claims, describing them as deeply upsetting and completely uncharacteristic of his nature.
The decision to pull D’Acampo’s shows comes amid a broader cultural shift in the TV industry,
particularly after the recent controversies surrounding high-profile figures like Gregg Wallace of *MasterChef* and Phillip Schofield.
ITV is keen to avoid any further scandals that could tarnish its reputation and seems to be taking preemptive measures to distance itself from the situation.
Two episodes of *Gino’s Italy: Secrets of the South* were set to air on ITVBe on Sunday evening but will now be replaced by an episode of *Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes*. Additionally, ITV has pulled *Family Fortunes*, which has been hosted by D’Acampo, and replaced it with *Wheel of Fortune*, hosted by Graham Norton. These changes will be in effect for the next several days, as ITV seeks to ensure that D’Acampo’s shows do not air in the immediate future.
Sources close to ITV revealed that the broadcaster is trying to avoid the fallout that occurred when the BBC was criticized for its handling of Gregg Wallace’s behavior. Wallace was recently forced to step down from his role on *MasterChef* following complaints of inappropriate behavior. ITV appears to be taking a similar approach with D’Acampo, as they try to mitigate any potential damage to their brand.
The allegations against D’Acampo include reports of sexually aggressive language and behavior while filming shows such as *Gino’s Italian Express*, *Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip*, and *Emission Impossible*. Several women who worked with D’Acampo have come forward, alleging that they were subjected to lewd comments, unwelcome physical advances, and inappropriate jokes. One woman accused him of making explicit sexual comments in front of the entire crew, while another claimed that D’Acampo had made crude references to his private parts.
In some instances, the complaints involve allegations of D’Acampo greeting colleagues while wearing only his underwear, as well as making threats or offensive remarks related to sex. Some of the women said that they were too intimidated to speak out at the time, fearing repercussions due to their status as self-employed workers within the television industry.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, D’Acampo has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement to ITV News, he described the accusations as “simply not in my nature” and emphasized that the claims were “deeply upsetting.” D’Acampo has maintained that his behavior was intended as playful banter and that he did not intend to cause any harm. However, these allegations have sparked a wider conversation about the normalization of inappropriate conduct in the entertainment industry.
The controversy surrounding D’Acampo is being referred to as the “MasterChef effect,” with ITV reportedly taking cues from the scandal that led to Wallace’s departure from the BBC. Sources suggest that the network is acting swiftly to remove any potential risks, especially after the highly publicized departure of Phillip Schofield from *This Morning* in 2023.
While some of D’Acampo’s shows have been removed from ITV’s broadcast schedule, certain content will still be available for streaming on ITVX. However, the new series of *Family Fortunes*, which was scheduled for release in 2025, has also been canceled as a result of the ongoing controversy.
For ITV, the decision to pull D’Acampo’s shows highlights the broadcaster’s desire to avoid further scandal and ensure that it only has talent on air without questionable behavior in their past.
As the entertainment industry continues to scrutinize its handling of misconduct allegations, it remains to be seen whether D’Acampo’s career will be permanently affected by these claims or if he will eventually make a return to the screen. For now, ITV’s swift actions reflect an industry-wide effort to manage and mitigate reputational risks.
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