Fred Sirieix and ITV were “blindsided” by pal Gino D'Acampo quitting their hugely popular show after furious row over contracts, according to reports.
The TV chef broke the news he won't be returning to Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip yesterday.
He quit in a bid to protect his friendship with his co-stars following a “stressful” row over “complicated” contracts, but insisted his relationship with Gordan Ramsay and Fred remains "very strong".
But now reports have emerged suggesting that the decision to quit came as a shock to at least one of his telly pals.
Fred, 51, revealed in an interview just ten days ago that he had been chatting about work to Gino, 46, days before he made the decision to quit.
And a source has reportedly claimed that Gino’s exit came as a shock to “everybody connected” to the show.
“As far as bosses were concerned, talks were ongoing and a settlement was in reach,” an insider told the Mail Online.
“Contract negotiations are always difficult because of the trio's schedules so the filming window where they can actually get the three of them together is pretty tight.
“But clearly Gino has lost patience and pulled out.”
The source added that the show’s bosses were hoping to convince the Italian chef to stay on with Gordon and Fred “because they genuinely have fun together and make great telly”.
Gino, 46, yesterday said it was impossible for him to continue the ITV travel and food show, which saw the trio visit various countries including the USA, Greece and France.
The telly personality said that his friendships with his former colleagues had nothing to do with his quitting, and that his 'strong' bond with them meant more to him than arguments over contracts.
“Last week I decided not to film any more Gordon, Gino and Fred Road trips. The reason is very simple – nothing to do with Gordon or Fred, the friendship is very strong," he told his followers in a shock Instagram video post.
“It's just because we can't get the dates together and sometimes when we do get the dates together sometimes they get changed and it causes a lot of problems for me because I have other stuff that I have to do.
“Personal problems as well because when I have to change things with my family it is very complicated and also because contracts.”
Gino shares Luciano, 21 and Rocco, 18 and nine-year-old daughter Mia with his wife Jessica Stellina Morrison.
Gino went on to say: “Because contracts start to become very complicated and very stressful, I personally value the friendship with Gordon and Fred so much that I would rather the friendship than arguments with the contract.
“So I have decided not to do it anymore because I want to be friends with the boys for many, many years ahead.”
Since the shocking video was posted, promotional interviews have resurfaced from just two weeks ago where Fred said the trio were busy behind the scenes organising the filming for show’s next series.
In a profile interview for his show Fred’s Last Resort just 10 days ago, Fred told Lorraine Kelly: “We are talking about dates for the next one.”
But he went on to hint that trouble was brewing behind the scenes as he added: “It is difficult to juggle all of our diaries. But we're getting there - we're getting there.”
The popular series first aired in 2018 which saw Gino, Gordon and Fred travel to Italy and France.
Two years later, they headed to America and in 2021 they were in Greece.
Viewers watched as they navigated new cities and food, as well as learning to live alongside each other in their campervan.
The trio have also produced three Christmas Specials.
A spokesperson for ITV said: "A brand new series of Gordon, Gino & Fred's Road Trip in Spain will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX later this year."
