Concerns about Gino D'Acampo's behaviour on the ITV show 'This Morning' were reportedly raised by staff years ago. The allegations, which include bullying and sexually inappropriate comments, come amidst a wider investigation into the chef's conduct on other shows.
Several crew and production members are said to have flagged issues with bosses about Gino, with some claiming that ITV management was alerted as recently as 2023. A source told The Sun that Gino was "difficult" to work alongside and "many" colleagues "dreaded" being on set with him. They added that Gino would "constantly joke about his manhood and make sexually explicit comments that would make people uncomfortable."
The source also claimed that Gino "knew" he was "The Talent" and would "throw his weight around". They continued: "A lot of people found him to be a bully, but felt they weren't taken seriously when they approached senior staff members. Gino seemed to get away with it because it was all part of his cheeky charm and appeal, but underneath there was something more sinister."
An ITV spokesperson told The Sun on Sunday: "ITV has made our position very clear. Our promise to those we work with is where a complaint is made to ITV or serious concerns raised, we'll look into it, and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action." Gino's lawyer, however, insisted that no one at 'This Morning' "has ever raised concerns with him".
These claims follow an ITV News investigation that revealed allegations of "distressing" and "sexually inappropriate" behaviour by Gino across several shows over a period spanning more than 12 years. "Dozens" of people are said to have detailed experiences described variously as "unacceptable," "distressing" and "horrendous" while working with him. Gino has firmly denied the allegations.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Gino had been 'quietly dropped' by ITV over the past year. A source said: "There is nothing currently commissioned or in development with Gino D'Acampo. The only outstanding show is a series of Family Fortunes which was recorded in October 2023, but is not currently scheduled."
Responding to the allegations in their entirety from the ITV News investigation, Gino said in a statement: "I have been told by ITN news that allegations have been made about me acting inappropriately, some dating back over ten years ago."
The statement continued: "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."
In a statement released over the news of ITV News' investigation, ITV said: "ITV is completely committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with respect and feels able to give of their best. Our promise to those we work with is that where a complaint is made, or serious concern raised, we will always investigate and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action. The same standards are expected of all production companies who make programmes on ITV's behalf. "It is production companies who have the primary responsibility for the duty of care of everyone they work with, both on and off screen, when making shows. We make clear our expectations of producers and have robust and comprehensive policies which we implement contractually. "We have strengthened these policies in the last 5 years and have set up a dedicated Complaints Handling Unit in 2024 to manage any complaints we receive about on screen presenters and ensure ITV has a centralised view across different productions. The standards of behaviour that ITV expects are very clear. Everyone working with ITV is subject to ITV's Code of Ethics and Conduct. At ITV we treat everyone with courtesy, fairness, dignity and respect and do not tolerate abusive behaviour of any form in the workplace. "We have also reiterated our expectations of our on screen presenters' behaviour through our Conduct and Standards Guidelines for On Screen Personalities issued in 2024. All of the concerns and complaints raised by those who have spoken to ITN describe behaviour which is inappropriate and unacceptable. Most of them were not reported to ITV at the time. Where issues have been raised with ITV action has been taken. "We can only act where we know that concerns have been raised, and will now be following up on those that had not previously been reported to us. If anyone has experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour while working on an ITV show, we encourage them to raise their concerns with us either directly or through our confidential speaking up hotline Safecall."