Gino D’Acampo crisis mounts as ‘vile’ Holly Willoughby sexual remarks emerge after ITV ‘ignored’ complaints
TV chef Gino D’Acampo has been rocked by fresh claims of “inappropriate” conduct towards his colleagues – this time regarding Dancing on Ice and former This Morning star Holly Willoughby.
A woman has come forward claiming D’Acampo made “vile” sexual comments about Willoughby, with ITV allegedly ignoring her complaints in 2018.
The unnamed woman said D’Acampo told her he was often asked which of Holly Willoughby or Fearne Cotton he would most like to sleep with.
According to The Sun, D’Acampo responded: “If I could put the face of one on the body of the other then maybe, but I’d probably choose Holly because I’d have more fun with her.”
The woman described herself as “disgusted” by his remarks and behaviour. “He was crude and vile. He’s a vulgar cretin,” she claimed to The Sun.
The allegations add to mounting accusations of misconduct against the 48-year-old TV chef spanning more than a decade.
In an email to ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall in 2018, the woman reportedly warned: “He is certainly not a man reflecting integrity or honesty or family values.”
She predicted: “One day he will be outed by many, many more and his associations will be running for the hills to disassociate themselves from him.”
The woman claims ITV dismissed her concerns, saying they “came back sharply, essentially telling me to go away.”
She also claims to have contacted This Morning, Channel 5, the BBC and other production companies about D’Acampo’s behaviour.
According to the woman, both ITV and the BBC were dismissive because the incident hadn’t occurred during the production of any show.
“ITV were specifically horrid and even cast doubt on what I was saying. They were cowardly,” she stated.
GB News has contacted D’Acampo’s representatives for comment on the allegations.
An ITV News investigation uncovered “dozens” of allegations of misconduct against D’Acampo during filming over a 12-year period.
Multiple crew and production members reportedly raised concerns about the chef to bosses as far back as a decade ago.
The behaviour was allegedly reported to ITV management as recently as 2023.
Victims have accused ITV and other production companies of “furiously protecting” the presenter for fear of losing financial investment.
ITV has pulled D’Acampo’s shows from its broadcast schedules for the next 10 days but his programmes remain available on the streaming platform ITVX, including shows where complaints were reportedly made.
Dr Charlotte Proudman, founder of Right to Equality, called this “particularly concerning.”
“This sends a damaging message to victims and the wider industry: that commercial interests outweigh accountability of potential sexual predators,” she said.
ITV released a statement saying: “All of the concerns and complaints raised by those who have spoken to ITN describe behaviour which is inappropriate and unacceptable.”
The broadcaster added: “Most were not reported to ITV at the time. Where issues have been raised with ITV action has been taken.”
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D’Acampo has “firmly denied” all allegations through his legal team, describing them as “deeply upsetting.”
“I would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone. This is simply not in my nature,” the TV chef stated.
He added: “Not only have these allegations never been raised with me before, I have been repeatedly supported by executives at the highest level.”
“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,” D’Acampo said.
Despite the mounting allegations, D’Acampo continues to make public appearances.
Over the weekend, he conducted a meet and greet with young fans outside Asda supermarket, promoting his air fryer and associated cookbook.