TV chef Gino D’Acampo, 48, is currently facing a wave of allegations regarding sexually inappropriate and intimidating behaviour, spanning over a 12-year period.
Despite denying the allegations, which reportedly involve over 40 individuals,
a resurfaced clip from the popular TV show *Celebrity Juice* has reignited public concern about his conduct on and off the screen.
In the video, D’Acampo’s lewd comment about fellow celebrity Fearne Cotton left both her and Holly Willoughby visibly stunned, causing an immediate backlash.
In the 2010 clip, *Celebrity Juice* host Keith Lemon (played by comedian Leigh Francis) made a light-hearted joke about a pizza that had been made in the likeness of Fearne’s face.
While the audience chuckled, D’Acampo, who was seated beside Holly Willoughby, chimed in with a crude remark.
“I have a theory and I’m sorry, you know how much I like you, right, but I think when you have big nostrils, actually you can suck like…,” D’Acampo said, leaving Fearne, 43, wide-eyed and shocked, her mouth agape. Holly, also 43, raised her hands to her face, clearly embarrassed by the unsavoury comment. The audience responded by chanting D’Acampo’s name, further amplifying the discomfort in the room.
Although D’Acampo later attempted to clarify his remark, suggesting that it was a “compliment” and “just a theory” from “old Italian wisdom,” it did little to quell the awkwardness of the moment. “It’s just a word that everybody knows,” he insisted, downplaying the inappropriateness of his statement. Fearne, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, quickly responded, “Alright, you don’t need to elaborate!” But the incident remains etched in the minds of viewers who were disturbed by the chef’s unrestrained comments.
The resurfacing of this clip comes at a time when D’Acampo is at the centre of an ITV News investigation, where more than 40 individuals have alleged that the chef exhibited sexually inappropriate and intimidating behaviour over the years. Some of these claims are said to date back more than a decade. While D’Acampo denies the allegations, he finds the accusations deeply distressing. “I have never been made aware of these matters previously, and the allegations are firmly denied,” he stated, emphasising that he would never intentionally upset or distress anyone.
The ITV investigation has reportedly uncovered a pattern of behaviour that many individuals describe as “unacceptable,” “distressing,” and even “horrendous.” Among the allegations are claims that D’Acampo made inappropriate comments about a colleague’s physical appearance, including describing a young woman’s breasts as “perfect” and “like a mouthful.” In another instance, he allegedly threatened a colleague’s girlfriend with sexual demands if she did not comply with his request for ice cream. Disturbingly, at least one production company is said to have been aware of complaints about D’Acampo’s behaviour but continued to employ him for further projects.
Additionally, this is not the first time D’Acampo has sparked controversy with his remarks. In November 2021, a similar incident occurred on *This Morning* when he made an inappropriate comment about Holly Willoughby’s body. Using her as a human map of Italy, D’Acampo joked about her “vagina” in a crude and uncomfortable manner, prompting an immediate reaction from Holly, who exclaimed, “Oh my God!” Viewers were outraged by the inappropriate comment, with many taking to social media to express their disgust.
As the investigation continues, D’Acampo’s TV shows have been removed from the ITV schedule, further intensifying the public scrutiny he is facing. Despite the mounting allegations and negative press, D’Acampo continues to deny the claims and maintains that the version of events presented to him does not reflect his true character. He has asserted that he has always been supported by ITV executives and has never been made aware of any complaints regarding his conduct.
In the wake of these allegations, many are questioning the culture of British television and whether some inappropriate behaviour was overlooked in the past. As more details emerge, it remains to be seen how D’Acampo’s career and reputation will be affected in the long run, and whether the ongoing investigation will lead to significant changes within the industry.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.