Gino D’Acampo is reportedly furious with Gordon Ramsay for “orchestrating a smear campaign” against him.
The TV chef has found himself at the centre of a firestorm after ITV News reported dozens of allegations against him, describing “unacceptable”, “distressing” and “horrendous” behaviour over a 12-year period. He has strongly denied all wrongdoing.
D’Acampo is said to have been blindsided after reports alleged that Ramsay, whom he co-hosted travel series Road Trip with alongside Fred Sirieix, voiced concerns about his alleged behaviour behind the scenes.
“There has been a lot coming out about his time with Gordon Ramsay and it is very anti-Gino,” a source close to the star told MailOnline.
“One minute they are working together and the best of friends. Then he leaves the Road Trip series and he is basically finished within a couple of years.'
D’Acampo has been dropped by ITV – but the source said he “feels hard done by” due to claims the channel encouraged him to cultivate a “cheeky chappie” persona on shows, including daytime series This Morning.
“Gino was told to behave as he did, in that naughty boy manner,” a source told MailOnline.
“This is what he can't get his head around and he will be making that clear when he thinks it's time to speak out. He would be on Family Fortunes making cheeky jokes.
“There were incidents on This Morning in front of the cameras – such as when he kissed presenter Ruth [Langsford] in 2011 – which ITV and its viewers loved.”
D’Acampo has denied claims that he made sexualised comments and gestures to female employees behind the scenes of his popular programmes.
He said earlier this week: “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 take such matters extremely seriously and the suggestion that I have acted in an improper way against is deeply upsetting.”
The Independent has contacted ITV and Ramsay for comment
