⁠Why did ITV sack Gino D’Acampo? TV chef accused of alleged inappropriate behavior, bullying and intimidation 

Celebrity Sightings In London - April 29, 2023 - Source: Getty
Celebrity Sightings In London - April 29, 2023 - Source: Getty

Following further accusations that the TV chef engaged in improper behavior, bullying, and intimidation throughout more than ten years of production, Gino D’Acampo's termination from ITV has come to light. The new allegations, which are the subject of many investigations, describe a pattern of behavior that reportedly made the crew members frightened, unsupported and reluctant to speak.

Gino D’Acampo and ITV parted ways earlier this year after many allegations of inappropriate behavior, including on-scene jokes, threatening behavior, and sexually inappropriate remarks. By mid-2024, ITV had stopped all of his projects, despite his public denials of any misconduct.

But according to the most recent ITV News investigation, there have been concerns about his behavior since 2010. Former crew members said that because "Gino brings in money," as one senior producer allegedly informed investigators, their concerns were either ignored or not sufficiently addressed, implying that his fame protected him from consequences.

ITV does not comment on specific incidents, but it does not look into complaints that are brought to its notice and forward them to its Complaints Handling Unit, according to an ITV representative.


Gino D’Acampo's fresh allegations of bullying and intimidation on set

The scrutiny has increased due to new testimonies. The senior production lead for Gino's Italy: Like Mamma Used to Make (2022), Sue Fowler, recounted a frightening incident that happened to a crew member while filming in Naples. A crew member suddenly passed out and seemed to have a heart attack.

Gino D’Acampo allegedly responded with startling indifference, telling the crew should “package him up and send him back like they do on Amazon Prime.” He then said:

“People live, people die. Anyone who gives a f*** about this production will follow me down to the beach and start filming now. Anyone who doesn’t can stay up here.”

While another crew member heard him saying:

“If he is going to die, he better die quietly.”

Fowler described Gino as frightening, degrading, and unstable, saying she was "horrified" and "distraught." Fowler told ITV News that although she filed a complaint, it yielded "very little," and that the incident had more detrimental effects on her career than his.

In response, ITV's legal department said that Gino's actions “as outlined…is not materially disputed” and acknowledged the "upset" caused. He allegedly finished anti-harassment and workplace behavior classes and was instructed to evaluate appropriate communication channels.


An atmosphere of fear for the crew members

Crew members provided instances where many more came forward with accounts from separate productions. "Stephen," an unidentified employee, claimed on ITV News that he was bullied by Gino D’Acampo in 2010. He remembered being yelled at for making him “look like a c***,” grabbed him by the shoulders, and then pushed aside as Gino yelled "f*** you" and rushed off.

“You just come to know that if talent do something, then you just have to suck it up.”

Stephen claimed that he felt "small," "belittled," and scared to make a report. Other crew members confirmed his version of events.

More members from the ITV series, Gino's Italy: Secrets of the South (2023) and Emission Impossible reported incidents that occurred on set. According to reports, at least ten complaints were apparently made to ITV's anonymous hotline about Gino D’Acampo's behavior, especially in relation to women. ITV News reports that following complaints about his "crude language" and "unacceptable behaviour," a welfare representative from Betty TV spoke to the crew members.

According to Fowler, she claims that Gino was awarded and never punished:

“Not only was his behaviour tolerated, but it was rewarded. It was rewarded by him getting more commissions, by him fronting more series. There were no repercussions for Gino, there were repercussions for me.”

She added that the industry had “blacklisted” her, and this had a “direct impact” on her career:

“You're only as good as your last job, so you can't put your head above the parapet, you can't make a complaint. Because if you do, then potentially you're not going to work again.”

She concluded:

“If my complaint had been taken seriously, those perhaps wouldn't have happened”

Recent conduct

Gino D’Acampo continues to become a topic of conversation abroad after leaving UK television. He was caught on camera making inappropriate comments and sucking pasta from an audience member's mouth during promotional events for his Canadian television series An Italian in Canada.

Additionally, he was seen in the video asking men in the audience to whisk eggs while turning his back on the audience in an apparent obscene gesture.

Gino D’Acampo later uploaded the clip on Instagram, with the caption:

"Grazie Canada, you guys rock."

He also made news on Maltese radio after making sexual jokes about the "maximum satisfaction" of Italian men, discussing diets, and suggesting that he named his baby after an adult film performer.


Gino D’Acampo has not provided any statement regarding the latest bullying and intimidation allegations.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.

Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!

Edited by Zachary D. Lyngdoh