A resurface clip of Gino D’Acampo commenting on Holly Willoughby has gone viral.
D’Acampo is now facing allegations of “distressing” and “sexually inappropriate” behaviour, with more than a dozen individuals coming forward to share their experiences, describing his actions as “unacceptable, distressing, and horrendous.”
These accusations, spanning over a period of 12 years, were reported to ITV News. The chef has “firmly denied” all claims made by “dozens of people,” expressing that he finds the allegations “deeply upsetting.”
A resurfaced clip of the chef has gone viral online from November 2021.
While on This Morning with Phil and Holly, Gino was talking about the death of Ado Campeol – dubbed “the father of Tiramisu”. He decided to explain the geographical locations of different cities in Italy and used Holly’s body as a map.
He pointed at her shoulder and said “In the Belmonte region here is where the Savoiardi biscuit comes from.”
He then pointed to her chest and said “On the other side is Treviso – so Treviso is where Ado came from so it could be very…” Phil joked: “I’m really concerned if he’s going to talk about Sicily,” to which Gino replied: “No, Sicily’s all the way down there!” He continued referring to Holly as he added: “But your belly button – I was born in Naples which is on your side but I went to school where the Vesuvius is.”
The chef continued: “So, it’s more inland, so… er, I can technically say that I spent my youth training and playing around your v*gina.” A visibly shocked Holly said: “Oh my God!” Phil was also stunned by the comment as Gino continued.
He said: “There is nothing wrong with that. It is just a word that everybody knows and that’s what I have been doing geographically.”
Phil then turned to the camera and said: “Morning Ofcom,” as he predicted complaints about the comment. Holly also urged Gino to not try to give geography lessons again.
Following ITV News’ investigation, over 40 individuals have now spoken out, claiming to have either witnessed or personally experienced what they describe as inappropriate and intimidating behavior from D’Acampo. As a result, his television programs have been pulled from ITV’s schedule. The chef has been a familiar face on ITV, hosting shows such as Family Fortunes and Gino and Fred: Emission Impossible.
Responding to the allegations, D’Acampo 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 recognize the version of events being put to me.”
He continued: “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 is deeply upsetting.”