Gino D'Acampo denies accusations of inappropriate behaviour

Celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo has “firmly denied” accusations of inappropriate behaviour following an investigation by ITV News.

ITV said it had uncovered “numerous allegations” of “inappropriate and intimidating behaviour” spanning some 12 years.

The chef has amassed numerous TV credits during his career including a regular spot on ITV’s This Morning, as well as fronting multiple series including Gino’s Italian Escape and Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip.

Accounts shared with the news broadcaster saw the chef’s behaviour described as "unacceptable," "distressing" and "horrendous".

ITV News said it had seen evidence that a production company continued to work with D’Acampo despite being aware of concerns raised by crew members.

D’Acampo told ITV he “firmly denied” the accusations, which he has described as “deeply upsetting”.

In a statement made to the broadcaster the chef 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."

A spokesperson for ITV told the news programme that it was “production companies who have the primary responsibility for the duty of care of everyone they work with, both on and off screen, when making shows.”

They said the allegations “describe behaviour which is inappropriate and unacceptable. Most of them were not reported to ITV at the time. Where issues have been raised with ITV action has been taken.”

Last year D’Acampo’s My Pasta Bar restaurant brand was wound up just over a decade after it launched.

In 2021, the chef signed a deal with Spain’s largest hotel group Meliá International and has since opened restaurants in its INNSiDE by Melia hotels in Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester.

He also launched Luciano, which is pitched as a higher-end Italian restaurant, at the ME London hotel on the Strand in 2021.

The Caterer has contacted ITV and D’Acampo’s representatives for further comment.