UKTV has continued to air re-runs of Gino D'Acampo's old shows over the weekend, after ITV removed them from their schedule in response to allegations of inappropriate behaviour against the TV chef.
The 48-year-old Italian presenter has been accused of “dozens” of allegations of misconduct over more than a decades, with his behaviour described as “unacceptable” and “distressing” by those making accusations, an ITV News investigation has claimed.
D’Acampo has “firmly denied” the allegations in a statement to the broadcaster, saying they were “simply not in my nature” and describing them as “deeply upsetting”.
Following the accusations, ITV made the decision to stop repeats of game show Family Fortunes fronted by D’Acampo. Also two episodes of food travel programme Gino’s Italy: Secrets Of The South, which were due to air on ITVbe on Sunday were also removed from the upcoming schedules.
Instead, they broadcasted TV home show Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes while Graham Norton-hosted game show Wheel Of Fortune will run during previous Family Fortunes slots on Friday and Monday.
Despite ITV pulling his shows, UKTV have made the decision to continue broadcasting his shows.
“UKTV not following ITV's lead in dropping programming with Gino D'Acampo,” news site TV Zone shared on X. “U&Dave currently airing back-to-back repeats of Gino's Italian Coastal Escape.”
A spokesperson for UKTV told The Standard on Monday: "We have no current plans to remove scheduled archive content featuring Gino D’Acampo, but we will keep this under review.”
The Italian chef has been accused of inappropriate behaviour spanning 12 years, including using sexualised and aggressive language on TV sets.
He is facing "dozens" of allegations of misconduct on TV shows he worked on, with his behaviour described as "unacceptable" and "distressing" by those making accusations, according to an ITV News investigation.
D'Acampo "firmly denied" the allegations in a statement to ITV News, saying they were "simply not in my nature" and describing them as "deeply upsetting".
In one alleged incident in 2011, he is said to have told a colleague he would “like to turn me over and f*** me up the a*** against the kitchen counter,” one woman told ITV News.
Another woman alleged "aggressive" behaviour by D’Acampo on a location shoot, claiming he opened the door in his boxer shoots and made reference to his genitalia.
She told ITV it made her feel “disgusted,” adding: “I think he feels he's in a position of power and he can say and do what he wants. I see it all as quite aggressive, really."
A former coworker also claimed D'Acampo confronted a young crew member over ice cream in 2019.
Two crew members who witnessed the alleged incident came forward to ITV and told the broadcaster: “I was present when Gino said to the runner, 'If you don't get me a Cornetto, I will f*** your girlfriend”, while a second witness said the remark had “stuck in my head for years”.
She added: “He was using his power to bully and intimidate us. For what? A cookery programme.”
D'Acampo's representatives said the broadcaster was “mortified” by the accusation and “does not recall this incident at all”.
In response to all allegations, he told ITV News: "I have been told by ITN news that allegations have been made about me acting inappropriately, some dating back over ten years ago.
“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.”
He added: “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."
D’Acampo is best known for appearing on shows including This Morning, Let’s Do Lunch and Gino’s Italian Escape.
He has also appeared on Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip, alongside Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix, which follows the trio travelling to various countries and exploring the local cuisine
