Gino D'Acampo denies inappropriate behaviour allegations as women talk 'horrendous' acts

Gino D'Acampo has denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour (Image: GETTY)

Former This Morning chef Gino D'Acampo is facing fresh claims of sexually inappropriate behaviour.

An ITV News investigation has uncovered numerous allegations of inappropriate and intimidating behaviour by the celebrity chef.

Dozens of people have detailed experiences described variously as "unacceptable," "distressing" and "horrendous" while working with him over a period spanning more than 12 years.

Responding to the claims, D'Acampo told the broadcaster he "firmly denied" the allegations, adding they were "deeply upsetting".

One anonymous woman told ITV News correspondent Sejal Karia of a highly sexualised comment made by D'Acampo, and directed at her when they were worked together on a magazine shoot in 2011.

She said: "I definitely saw it as some kind of power play. The very act of what he said was aggressive."

Another woman claimed that during a TV production years later, D'Acampo opened the door wearing only boxer shorts, jumped onto the bed, and made an inappropriate comment referencing his genitalia.

"We had to sort of sit there facing him and he made, you know, reference to his d***, basically saying, 'Oh, don't worry, it's only small', and sort of flicking it."

She said she was "disgusted" by the behaviour and felt that D'Acampo "believed he was in a position of power and could say and do what he wanted".

She told ITV News it made her feel "very, very, very small...I felt like Gino, in that moment, was very entitled and he felt very safe. He did not think that was an inappropriate thing to say to me."

Another individual described his off-screen behaviour as intimidating, saying his "cheeky chappy" persona "allowed him to hide in plain sight."

A third person claimed he used aggressive behaviour towards a young colleague over an ice cream in 2019.

In response to the allegations, D'Acampo said: "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.

"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 has been the face of several shows on ITV including Gino's Italian Family Adventure, Gordon, Gino and Fred's Road Trip, and Gino's Italian Express.

He is also the face of Family Fortunes but it has been reported ITV have no current plans to continue filming the programe with D'Acampo.

The show is not currently scheduled for broadcast, and the network has no plans to work with him moving forward.