Gino D’Acampo made ‘vile’ sexual comments about his ITV co-star Holly Willoughby, a horrified woman has alleged.
A woman has come forward claiming that her 2018 complaints about Gino were ignored by ITV and no investigation was launched.
Gino, who regularly worked with Holly on This Morning and Celebrity Juice, is said to have told the woman that he was often asked which of Holly and her TV sidekick and close friend Fearne Cotton he would most like to sleep with.
According to The Sun Gino told the woman: ‘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 unidentified woman has told the newspaper that she was ‘disgusted’ by the comments, calling Gino ‘crude and vile’ and ‘a vulgar cretin’ and that she warned ITV about him in 2018.
She claims she wrote an email to ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall, in which she stated: ‘He is certainly not a man reflecting integrity or honesty or family values.’
Gino D’Acampo made ‘vile’ sexual comments about his ITV co-star Holly Willoughby , a horrified woman has alleged
Gino, who regularly worked with Holly on This Morning Celebrity Juice , is said to have told the woman that he was often asked which of Holly and her TV sidekick and close friend Fearne Cotton he would most like to sleep with
She claims ITV ‘came back sharply, essentially telling me to go away.’
MailOnline have contacted ITV and representatives for Holly and Gino for comment.
This Morning staff reportedly raised concerns about chef Gino D’Acampo a decade ago.
Multiple crew and production members are alleged to have reported issues to bosses, accusing the 48-year-old of bullying and making sexually inappropriate comments.
According to The Sun, ITV management was informed as recently as 2023.
An insider reportedly told the publication: ‘It was no secret that Gino was difficult to work with and many staff members dreaded being on set with him. He would constantly joke about his manhood and make sexually explicit comments that would make people uncomfortable.
Gino told the woman: ‘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’ (Gino and Holly pictured together on This Morning in 2019)
‘He knew he was ‘The Talent’ and would throw his weight around. A lot of people found him to be a bully, but felt they weren’t taken seriously when they approached senior staff members.
‘Gino seemed to get away with it because it was all part of his cheeky charm and appeal.’
ITV is under pressure to cut ties with Gino after the TV presenter was accused of ‘sexually inappropriate’ behaviour spanning 12 years.
Women’s groups have slammed the 48-year-old amid claims he used sexualised and aggressive language on sets including Gino’s Italian Express, Gordon, Gino And Fred’s Road Trip, and Emission Impossible.
An investigation by ITV News found ‘dozens’ of allegations of misconduct against the chef during filming, with his behaviour described as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘distressing’ by his accusers.
However, despite changing its upcoming schedules on Friday to ensure that D’Acampo will not appear on TV screens in the next ten days, ITV last night had not removed shows fronted by him on its streaming platform ITVX.
Dr Charlotte Proudman, the founder of Right to Equality, said: ‘It is particularly concerning that ITV continues to platform D’Acampo’s shows on ITVX – including those where complaints were reportedly made.
Despite changing its upcoming schedules on Friday to ensure that D’Acampo will not appear on TV screens in the next ten days, ITV last night had not removed shows fronted by him on its streaming platform ITVX
Dr Charlotte Proudman, the founder of Right to Equality, said: ‘It is particularly concerning that ITV continues to platform D’Acampo’s shows on ITVX – including those where complaints were reportedly made’
‘This sends a damaging message to victims and the wider industry: that commercial interests outweigh accountability of potential sexual predators.
‘ITV must answer for how this was allowed to happen and why women were turned away and ignored, allowing sexual misconduct to continue with impunity.
Jemima Olchawski, CEO of the Fawcett Society, said the allegations were ‘shocking and should have no place in our society’.
‘We need all employers to ensure their workplace culture does not support this toxic behaviour,’ she added.
Victims of D’Acampo’s alleged vile behaviour have accused ITV and other production companies of ‘furiously protecting’ the presenter for fear of losing financial investment.
D’Acampo has ‘firmly denied’ the allegations, saying they were ‘simply not in my nature’ and describing them as ‘deeply upsetting’.
A statement by ITV said: ‘All of the concerns and complaints raised by those who have spoken to ITN [the producer of ITV News] describe behaviour which is inappropriate and unacceptable.
‘Most were not reported to ITV at the time. Where issues have been raised with ITV action has been taken.’
