The Loose Women panel was left rather surprised when Gino D’Acampo made a somewhat ‘awkward’ comment regarding an on-screen ‘kiss rule’.
In the latest instalment of the popular ITV daytime show, hosts Kaye Adams, Frankie Bridge, Kelly Brooks, and Kelly Holmes welcomed the 48-year-old Italian chef as he came on to discuss his new cookbook.
But moments after joining the panel, the atmosphere shifted as Gino proceeded to peck each presenter on the cheek, seemingly flouting protocol. He then disclosed: “They told me ‘please don’t kiss the ladies on the table’ but what kind of Italian would come on the show without kissing the ladies. The rules are rubbish.”
The unexpected remark was met with laughter from the panellists, with Kelly playfully suggesting to Gino: “Well I think you’ve just got fired.” Laughter ensued, leaving a puzzled Gino to ask: “What, for a kiss?” reports the Mirror.
Audience members at home quickly took to social media to express their thoughts, with one viewer commenting on X, previously known as Twitter: “That was very awkward…. #loosewomen Frankie looked uncomfortable.”
Others chimed in with tweets like: “#loosewomen Gino being so careful with his innuendo today.” And “Careful Gino they’ll be wanting to cancel you. #loosewomen.”
Meanwhile, another questioned: “Do you really think they told him not to kiss them? ? #Loosewomen.”
The conversation quickly turned to Gino’s ‘ultimate air fryer cookbook’, which has swiftly become a hit on the Sunday Times Bestsellers list. Kaye didn’t hesitate to tease, “So you say what type of Italian doesn’t give someone a kiss when they greet them but what kind of Italian uses an airfryer?”
Gino, pointing to his book, retorted with a smile, “An Italian who made a hell of a lot of money.” To which Kaye responded, “At least you are honest.”
This banter unfolded amidst the recent controversy involving Gregg Wallace and allegations that he made inappropriate comments towards female contestants.
Wallace, 60, a familiar face on MasterChef, has been caught in a whirlwind of scandal following accusations that he made sexually charged remarks on the set of his BBC programme.
In response to these claims, Gregg took to Instagram Stories with a series of videos where he dismissed the allegations as coming from “a handful of middle class women of a certain age”, though he subsequently issued an apology for this dismissal.
The scheduled Celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials have been pulled from the broadcast calendar. According to Radio Times, the BBC has chosen not to show the filmed episodes, titled Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza, which were set for release during the festive season, yielding to increasing pressure.
Loose Women is on ITV1 weekdays at 12.30pm and on ITVX