Richard Osman has shed light on Gino D’Acampo’s removal from the ITV schedule, citing consistent “pattern of behaviour” as the cause rather than any single event.
On his podcast The Rest is Entertainment, the ex-Pointless host delved into the reasons behind the TV chef’s show cancellations amidst misconduct allegations.
Osman said: “People do not lose their job just because they said a couple of things a couple of times. It’s a pattern of behaviour, it’s upset a number of people over a number of years.”
He further explained that television figures usually keep their jobs unless there’s a general displeasure among co-workers. He claimed: “If you’re in trouble as a presenter but actually your crew loves you and people who work with you go, ‘That’s just what they do and he’s a really decent guy,’ then you don’t get fired.”
He underscored that dismissals are a result of ongoing “tiresome” issues that wear out everyone affected. These disclosures emerge as D’Acampo is confronted with over 40 complaints of misconduct, covering a span of 12 years.
D’Acampo, 48, has been accused of making “distressing” and “unacceptable” comments on set, charges which he vehemently denies.
Among the allegations, one from 2011 claims that D’Acampo made crude sexual remarks to a female colleague concerning the kitchen counter. Another woman accused him of “aggressive” conduct during an off-site shoot, when he opened his door in just boxers while making inappropriate comments about his body.
In 2019, Gino D’Acampo reportedly made a young crew member uncomfortable over ice cream with inappropriate remarks about the individual’s girlfriend.
More claims surfaced about “disgusting” sexual comments he allegedly made regarding his ITV co-star Holly Willoughby, crudely comparing her to Fearne Cotton.
It has been reported that Scots celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay severed ties with D’Acampo two years ago due to concerns about his conduct.
An insider claimed that after Ramsay “threw Gino under the bus”, he and his professional team aimed to distance themselves, with the insider stating: “We wanted to get him as far away as possible.”
The duo had previously shared the screen with Fred Sirieix on the Road Trip series before their relationship was said to have become “fractured”.
Following these allegations, ITV has been under increasing pressure to address how it dealt with the accusations against D’Acampo.
In response, the broadcaster said: “Our promise to those we work with is that where a complaint is made to ITV or serious concerns raised, we will look into it, and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action.”
A source disclosed to MailOnline that Ramsay was “horrified” by D’Acampo’s alleged actions and felt the need to act. “Gordon found there was a lot of unacceptable behaviour going on, he saw things he didn’t think were okay so he spoke up. That was that. Friendship over.”
D’Acampo has strongly refuted all the allegations, labelling them as “deeply upsetting.” ITV has now removed reruns of D’Acampo’s shows and axed an upcoming series of Family Fortunes from their broadcast schedule.