Phillip Schofield is said to be supporting his former This Morning co-star Gino D’Acampo, after the TV chef was axed by ITV following a series of sexual misconduct allegations
Phillip Schofield is rumoured to be offering a shoulder to lean on for Gino D’Acampo after the celebrity chef got the chop from ITV amid misconduct allegations.
The duo were said to become friends during their stint on This Morning. Phil, who saw his own TV career topple in 2023 following a confession about an “unwise, but not illegal” romantic entanglement with a younger man from work, is apparently backing his mate since Gino found himself ‘cancelled’ just this month.
Women have filed complaints against him, leading to claims he engaged in conduct both “distressing” and “sexually unsuitable,” unearthed by an ITV News investigation.
40-plus individuals have allegedly complained of situations branded “unacceptable, distressing” and simply “horrendous” with Gino across a 12-year timespan. One woman, dubbed Hannah to shield her real name, recounted a comment she says Gino made to her way back in 2011.
He allegedly implied he fancied flipping her over atop the kitchen countertop. Another ex-colleague, this one a previous runner, said that Gino once quipped, “If you don’t get me a Cornetto, I will f*** your girlfriend,” reports the Mirror.
Amid ITV removing Gino’s popular TV jobs such as Family Fortunes and his tasty Italian adventure series, even former co-star Gordon Ramsay supposedly gave him the cold shoulder. But now, Phillip has supposedly shared his support of Gino.
Reports say their partners, Stephanie and Jessica are close friends too – with Phil and Steph popping over to Soho House for Jess’s 50th just last month.
A source revealed the Mail on Sunday, “Phil and Gino always got on well. He was part of the This Morning family for a long time so Phil has kept in contact with him, and he is a very good listener. Phil knows what it’s like to go through losing his TV career, so he’s been a good support. As well as working together, their wives are close. Mental health is something Phil cares about deeply. He wants to help where he can.”
“You can just imagine what they would have to say about ITV during their chats,” the source added.
Gino has slammed the claims made against him as “deeply upsetting” and firmly denies any inappropriate behaviour.
In a heartfelt statement, he 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.”
He went on to add: “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.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
