Gino D’Acampo, 48, accused of ‘unacceptable and distressing’ behaviour’ as ITV issues full response
ITV has issued a full response after celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo was of “unacceptable and distressing” behaviour.
The response came after an ITV investigation allegedly uncovered numerous allegations of inappropriate and intimidating behaviour by D’Acampo.
Back in December 2024, The Sun claimed a woman who worked with D’Acampo, 48, between 2006 and 2011 had lodged a formal complaint with ITV bosses.
Since then, ITV has reported that more people have come forward and detailed their experiences when working with the TV chef, noting his behaviour as “unacceptable,” “distressing” and “horrendous”.
The allegations which have been made span more than 12 years, with ITV claiming that it has evidence which shows at least one production company was aware of multiple complaints made by members of their crew.
D’Acampo has since responded to the claims and told ITV that he “firmly denied” the allegations, adding they were “deeply upsetting”.
The production companies, which made the TV programmes detailed in the allegations, and the channel which broadcast the shows, provided statements.
ITV stated: “ITV is completely committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with respect and feels able to give of their best.
“Our promise to those we work with is that where a complaint is made, or serious concern raised, we will always investigate and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action. The same standards are expected of all production companies who make programmes on ITV’s behalf.
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“It is 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. We make clear our expectations of producers and have robust and comprehensive policies which we implement contractually.
“We have strengthened these policies in the last 5 years and have set up a dedicated Complaints Handling Unit in 2024 to manage any complaints we receive about on screen presenters and ensure ITV has a centralised view across different productions.
“The standards of behaviour that ITV expects are very clear. Everyone working with ITV is subject to ITV’s Code of Ethics and Conduct. At ITV we treat everyone with courtesy, fairness, dignity and respect and do not tolerate abusive behaviour of any form in the workplace.
“We have also reiterated our expectations of our on screen presenters’ behaviour through our Conduct and Standards Guidelines for On Screen Personalities issued in 2024.
“All of the concerns and complaints raised by those who have spoken to ITN 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.
“We can only act where we know that concerns have been raised, and will now be following up on those that had not previously been reported to us. If anyone has experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour while working on an ITV show, we encourage them to raise their concerns with us either directly or through our confidential speaking up hotline Safecall.”
Objective Media Group, which co-produced ‘Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip’ in 2018, added: “Objective Media Group takes the welfare and wellbeing of all its production staff and teams incredibly seriously. We have robust protocols and procedures in place for all cast and crew, including on-screen talent, that we review regularly whilst also ensuring that we take into account developments regarding industry wide ‘Duty of Care’ guidelines.
“We include behavioural clauses in talent contracts and to further bolster our procedures we have provided behavioural training for on-screen talent to ensure that both OMG and broadcaster protocols, including ITV’s Conduct and Standards Guidelines for on screen personalities policies, are adhered to.”
Studio Ramsey, which produced ‘Gino’s Italian Family Adventure and co-produced ‘Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip’ in 2018, also said: “Studio Ramsay have not worked on a series with Gino D’Acampo since 2022.
“Whilst we do not disclose or discuss personnel matters publicly, Studio Ramsay is committed, in conjunction with our broadcast partners, to a safe and professional work environment. We take all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and workplace.”