ITV is under pressure to cut ties with Gino D’Acampo 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.
‘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.’