ITV is under mounting pressure to clarify its response to allegations against celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo, following reports of inappropriate behavior spanning over a decade.
The 48-year-old television personality has been accused of sexually inappropriate and intimidating conduct by more than 40 individuals—claims he has strongly denied.
According to reports, complaints about D’Acampo’s behavior date back 12 years, with allegations surfacing from both colleagues and production staff.
One woman who worked with the chef in 2018 has claimed that ITV failed to act on concerns she raised at the time.
Additionally, staff members from This Morning, a show where D’Acampo made regular appearances, allegedly flagged his conduct as problematic over a decade ago.
Despite these concerns, ITV continued to collaborate with him, and he remained a staple on their programming.
A report from The Sun states that ITV is now facing increasing demands for transparency regarding their handling of the allegations. The network, in response, told MailOnline: “Where a complaint is made to ITV or serious concerns raised, we will look into it, and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action.”
However, those who have come forward with allegations argue that ITV and other production companies prioritized financial interests over accountability, allowing D’Acampo’s behavior to go unchecked for years.
Allegations Against Gino D’Acampo
D’Acampo has firmly denied the claims, calling them “deeply upsetting” and stating that such behavior is “simply not in my nature.” He also expressed surprise at the allegations, asserting that he had never been previously confronted with any of these concerns.
Despite his denials, more details about the alleged misconduct continue to emerge. A woman who previously worked on an ITV production claims D’Acampo made inappropriate sexual comments about his former This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby. She alleged that he remarked on whether he would rather sleep with Willoughby or fellow presenter Fearne Cotton, calling his comments “crude and vile.” The woman claimed she complained about his behavior to ITV’s chief executive Carolyn McCall in 2018 but received a dismissive response.
An insider reportedly told The Sun that staff working on This Morning found D’Acampo to be difficult to work with. The source alleged that he frequently made sexually explicit jokes and wielded his celebrity status to intimidate colleagues. According to the report, many who experienced uncomfortable interactions with him felt that their concerns were not taken seriously by ITV’s senior management.
ITV’s Response and Public Reaction
Following the revelations, ITV issued a statement acknowledging that the behavior described in the allegations was “inappropriate and unacceptable.” The network maintained that most of the complaints were not formally reported at the time they allegedly occurred. However, ITV insists that when concerns were brought to their attention, appropriate action was taken.
In the wake of the allegations, ITV has removed D’Acampo from its future programming. While some of his shows have reportedly been pulled from broadcast schedules, episodes featuring him remain available on the network’s streaming platform, ITVX. This has led to further criticism from advocacy groups and industry professionals.
Dr. Charlotte Proudman, founder of Right to Equality, condemned ITV for continuing to host D’Acampo’s content on its platform. She argued that keeping his shows accessible sends a damaging message to survivors of workplace misconduct and prioritizes financial interests over ethical responsibility.
Meanwhile, former Coronation Street actress Vicky Entwistle publicly defended D’Acampo, criticizing ITV’s handling of the controversy. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Entwistle suggested that the network had capitalized on his “cheeky, naughty, foreign, hilarious” persona for years but was now turning against him due to changing social attitudes. She accused ITV of hypocrisy, claiming that the network benefitted from D’Acampo’s on-screen image but is now eager to distance itself amid growing public backlash.
The Future of Gino D’Acampo’s Career
D’Acampo has reportedly vowed never to work with ITV again, but industry experts suggest the controversy could have long-lasting effects on his career. With multiple production companies and networks distancing themselves from him, it remains unclear whether he will be able to regain his television presence.
As scrutiny over ITV’s handling of past misconduct allegations continues, the network faces tough questions about whether it adequately protects employees and guests from inappropriate behavior. The controversy surrounding D’Acampo serves as another reminder of the entertainment industry’s ongoing struggle to balance celebrity status with workplace accountability.
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