Gino D'Acampo caused chaos on the This Morning set on Tuesday when he mocked Phillip Schofield's dramatic exit from the show, before claiming that he is set to become the permanent new presenter once September rolls around.
The Italian celebrity chef, 46, was back in the kitchen today whipping up some delicious summer desserts and cocktails after an extended break away from the ITV programme.
Upon his return to the This Morning set, Gino made sure to reference all the drama he missed out on after Holly Willoughby's former co-host, Phillip, 61, dramatically resigned from the show amid rumours of an ongoing feud with Holly, 42.
Days later, Phillip resigned entirely from all his duties at ITV after his affair with a much younger male colleague at This Morning was exposed, leading the fallen presenter to be slammed by several celebrities including Eamonn Holmes, Kim Woodburn , and Katie Hopkins.
Gino had been away from the This Morning set for all the drama which consumed ITV in recent weeks, and as he joined Holly and Dermot O'Leary in studio today, the Italian chef tied to make light of the situation - but he ended up making Holly and Dermot visibly squirm in their seats.
The much-loved celebrity chef cheekily asked whether he had missed 'any news' over the past month upon his return.
When introducing himself and what delights he would be cooking up in the kitchen, Gino explained how he 'wasn't allowed to make anything with aubergines' before he quipped: "Everything is under control, I'm back. Anything in the news I should know?"
Dermot then looked at Holly and joked: "This is the last time we will ever see Gino on This Morning."
Before the show came to an end today, Gino also hinted that he would be filling Phillip's shoes as a permanent presenter once September rolls around.
"See you all in September when I will be hosting," Gino quipped before Holly jokingly pushed him out of the camera view.
Gino's antics didn't go unnoticed by viewers at home who were loving the energy the celebrity chef brought to the show.
"Well Gino doesn’t disappoint does he 'I’ve been in Italy for a month, any news I need to know about?' Cue poor Holly looking awkward," one viewer joked.
"Gino is soooooo cheeky omg!! Love this man!!! Hope he does actually host the show, that would be amazing," another echoed.
"Not a fan of Gino but funny hearing him say what's been happening Dermot and Holly cringing," someone else shared.
While another quipped: "Leave it to Gino to bring the Schofield drama back. LOOOOOOVE him."
This Morning airs on weekdays on ITV from 10am
