He's officially been away from This Morning for months and so Gino D'Acampo didn't want to return quietly. The Italian chef took a break from appearing in the ITV daytime show's kitchen earlier this year.
Gino spent his summer at his home in Sardina and only appeared on the popular programme earlier this month from his hot tub at his Italian home. He could be seen reclining in the bubbling tub next to a swimming pool for a chat with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about his new ITV show.
But the time away clearly hasn't changed Gino as the carnage started the second the show came to air as he tried to take over This Morning. Sat on the famous sofa, he opened the show saying: "Hello and welcome to This Morning. Yes, today is going to be a Gino special. It's going to be all about me because finally I've taken over the show."
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As he carried on, he introduced Holly and Phillip who were in the kitchen. As he asked what they were cooking, Gino added in: "It's all about me, not about you two." He tried to get validation from the hosts for his presenting skills but ended up getting a bit confused with which camera he should be talking at.
The show had cheekily set Gino up with a piece to say from the autocue, suggesting Gordon Ramsay was replacing him in the kitchen. The TV star continued with the opening segment, laughing and joking as he tried to get through telling viewers what was coming up on the show.
Gino also confirmed he would be hosting the phone in today. Eventually, Holly and Phillip got to sit in their usual seats and kicked Gino out back into the kitchen. But as Holly dived over he said: "Ah! Hello Wilma! Yabba Dabba Doo!"
He then asked: "Why are you dressed like the Flintstones," referring to the animal-print dress she chose to wear for the latest show. "Where is the bone?" he then cheekily added. Holly, 41, explained that the reason she was wearing the leopard print dress was because they had a leopard print fashion segment on the way later on the show.
"You look beautiful, like the Flintstones," Gino added as he wandered off to the kitchen as Holly said: "Well it's too late now!" And This Morning viewers were quick to respond to the opening antics.
Holly, 41, and Phillip, 60, then introduced Gok Wan to preview the later fashion segment and he ended up defending Holly's gorgeous look. But Gino admitted that he doesn’t like it when he sees men wearing animal prints.
And while some celebrated Gino's return, others were switching off just minutes into the programme. @StewTRob tweeted: "Turn on the telly it's Gino all about himself #ThisMorning." @Jensau fumed: "WTF? Not 'oh I'm so funny and cheeky' bloody Gino presenting #ThisMorning That's me switching channels!" @LauraPa79602511 shared: "Why does Gino get so much air time #ThisMorning."
@Colabubble wrote: " ThisMorning not sure I can cope with 2.5 hours of Gino. Off out for a walk!" @luanwatson added: "As soon as I saw Gino with Holly & Phil just now, I switched off the TV."
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