Gino D’Acampo allegations ‘could spark fresh wave of MeToo movement’: ‘They’re going to be taken seriously’
A fresh wave of MeToo revelations could be sparked by multiple allegations of “sexually inappropriate behaviour” made against TV chef Gino D’Acampo, a leading showbiz editor has warned.
Daily Star’s Ed Gleave told GB News the similarities to the Gregg Wallace situation may have “encouraged victims to come forward.”
An ITV News investigation has uncovered dozens of allegations against D’Acampo spanning more than 12 years, with multiple individuals describing their experiences as “unacceptable, distressing, and horrendous”.
The claims against the 48-year-old celebrity chef, known for shows including This Morning and Family Fortunes, detail numerous instances of allegedly inappropriate and intimidating behaviour.
D’Acampo’s legal team responded that the allegations “have never, until now via a media request for comment, been raised” and that he “emphatically and unequivocally denies these allegations”.
Speaking to GB News, Gleave said: “One of the things I read in one report said that some of the people that he’s worked with were sort of encouraged by the Gregg Wallace investigation and, and how that was taken seriously.
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“I think we’ve got a sort of MeToo type situation where because some people have come forward about these sorts of situations, other people then feel confident that they’re going to be taken seriously.
“I think perhaps, they would say that if they’d come forward 14 years ago, they perhaps feel that TV was a very different place then.”
D’Acampo issued a firm denial of all allegations through a statement to ITV News.
“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,” he said.
The chef emphasised his professional track record, stating: “I have worked with well over 1,500 people on around 80 productions in my career, which I have been so proud of.”
He added that he had been “repeatedly supported by executives at the highest level” during the period in which he was allegedly acting inappropriately.
“I take such matters extremely seriously and the suggestion that I have acted in an improper way against is deeply upsetting,” D’Acampo said.
An ITV spokesperson addressed the allegations, stating that all concerns and complaints describe “behaviour which is inappropriate and unacceptable”.
The broadcaster noted that most incidents were not reported at the time they occurred.
“Where issues have been raised with ITV action has been taken,” the spokesperson said.