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Inside Gino D'Acampo's ‘mastermind plan' to be uncancelled as axed ITV star goes on ‘apology tour' after allegations

Inside Gino D'Acampo's ‘mastermind plan' to be uncancelled as axed ITV star goes on ‘apology tour' after allegations

Scottish Sun5 days ago
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FIVE months after being sacked by ITV over his 'inappropriate and intimidating' behaviour, celebrity chef Gino G'Acampo has embarked on an 'apology tour' in a desperate bid to be 'uncancelled'.
As The Sun revealed last week that Gino, 48, is planning to embark on some new business ventures in Australia, insiders tell us he is also masterminding a secret plan to save his career in the UK.
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Celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo is planning to launch a comeback
Credit: Rex
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Gino was known for his cheeky antics on This Morning
Credit: Enterprise
Those in the know tell us that the Italian TV chef has hatched a strategy to use his social media platforms, a place where he feels he can control his image and narrative, to win back the public.
'The power of persuasion'
A source familiar with the situation explains: "TV bosses can refuse to put him on air but no one can stop him from having a voice on social media.
"He can use that platform to stay connected with those who have stuck by him, reform his image for those who have turned their back on him and, he hopes, win over a new fanbase."
But already it looks like Gino's endeavours on his social channels are landing badly.
Just this month, Gino made a painfully transparent attempt to challenge claims he created an uncomfortable working environment.
Posting footage of him hugging, kissing and holding hands with some of his restaurant staff during a recent visit to his Italian chain in Newcastle, Gino said: 'Another fantastic day with my team.
'I've always said… A happy kitchen creates fantastic food.'
He chose Mark Ambor's song 'Belong Together' to play over the video.
Our source continues: "The happy cheery corporate videos on Instagram are always part and parcel of any apology tour. Gino wants to maintain a united front and thinks the power of persuasion goes a long way.
"Gino hopes people will see it and think 'he's such a nice, down to earth guy, not too high and mighty to work in his own restaurant and look at everyone getting on with him, having laughs and banter'."
Gino D'Acampo slammed for 'highly inappropriate' cooking video as fans say 'that's disturbing and upsetting'
However, amid his increase in social media content, Gino came under fire for posting a 'highly inappropriate' video involving two live quails that was described as 'disturbing and upsetting'.
The unapologetic chef was seen kissing the two birds in one shot before dangling their corpses in another - choosing Bob Marley's hit Three Little Birds as the accompanying music.
It comes after more than 40 people described "unacceptable", "distressing" and "horrendous" experiences while working with Gino over a 12-year period.
Despite ITV yanking his shows off air, including a brand new series of Family Fortunes, the TV chef - who denies any wrongdoing - is refusing to accept his television career is over.
Allegations against Gino D'Acampo One woman claimed Gino told her he would "like to turn me over and f*** me up the a*** against the kitchen counter" in 2011. Another woman alleged he opened the door only wearing his boxer shorts and said "Oh, don't worry, it's only small" while pointing towards his penis. In 2018 while on set for the filming of Gordon, Gino and Fred's Road Trip, Gino allegedly said he "felt like f******" one morning. The same year Gino is alleged to have made a comment about another young female colleague who claimed he said: "Shouldn't we be talking about her t***, they're perfect, they're like a mouthful." Another alleged he told a young staff member: "When are we all going to get drunk and have sex together." A woman told ITV she saw Gino appearing to threaten a young colleague over an ice cream in 2019, he allegedly said "if you don't get me a Cornetto I will f*** your girlfriend".
Soft rebrand
As well as ramping up his presence on content creation online, last month, Gino announced he's filming a new cooking show, An Italian in Malta.
It's not known which production company it's been picked up by or when it will air.
An insider told The Sun: "Gino knows he's persona non grata at ITV, so the plan now is to rebuild his reputation elsewhere quietly and carefully.
"He's been telling people this new travel series is about food and culture, but really it's a soft rebrand. If it lands well internationally, he can turn around and say, 'look, I've still got it'.
"Gino thinks he's being smart about not throwing himself straight back into the UK spotlight. The idea is to go away, be seen working, stay visible, but not too visible and then come back once the dust has settled."
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Gino has attempted to show a different side to his working environment on social media
Credit: Instagram
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Gino cuddles his staff working at one of his Italian restaurants
Credit: Instagram
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He put on a united front with his team following the scandal
Credit: Instagram
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Gino angered fans with his video showing of live quails
Credit: Instagram
'A welcome distraction'
It is understood that Gino is secretly relieved that other presenters are copping the heat in the public eye too.
"With Gregg Wallace's scandal exploding, as well as John Torode's recent sacking, there's a sense that the spotlight might shift and the focus will be on him. He's hoping by using the distraction, he can quietly edge back into the fold.
"He's not naive, he knows he's not getting a primetime ITV slot anytime soon. But if he proves he can behave and audiences abroad respond well, the UK execs might just look twice.
"It's early days, but there's talk of him expanding the format to other countries if Malta and Ireland go well. He's already been in touch with producers in southern Europe about spin-offs."
It's believed Gino is also pinning hopes on his upcoming ventures in Australia paving the way for him to get back into good graces in Blighty too.
Gino is set to split his time between the UK and Down Under over the next few years, as he is planning to launch two new restaurants and a cookware line in Oz.
'He's been inundated with offers Down Under following a really successful tour there," a source told us.
'He spent some time in Australia a few years ago, and loved it. He still has a large social media following and plans to capitalise on that in the next stage of his career.'
It's thought that Gino hopes he'll land more TV work in Australia, which might then encourage British telly bosses to take another chance on him.
"Gino knows it won't be easy, but he's confident he can rebuild his reputation and one day, he's convinced he will be back on UK screens."
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His behaviour on set has been called into question
Credit: Rex Features
Gino was a regular chef on This Morning from 2009 - forming a close friendship with then-hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
But when an ITV News report in February first revealed the allegations against Gino on set, Holly distanced herself publicly from her once firm friend.
His former ITV co-stars Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix also appear to have stepped back from their friendship.
In 2022 an internal investigation into Gino was launched at production company Betty TV in relation to alleged inappropriate behaviour and language on the set of Gino's Italy – Like Mamma Used to Make.
The production company Objective Media Group said in an email seen by ITV in 2024 that issues also arose in 2023 on the Emission Impossible set.
Gino told ITV News at the time: "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.
"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."
The Sun has approached Gino for comment.
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Love Island fans fume at show bosses for giving Shakira the 'villain edit' during the Grafties - after 'convincing' her to stay following emotional breakdown
Love Island fans fume at show bosses for giving Shakira the 'villain edit' during the Grafties - after 'convincing' her to stay following emotional breakdown

Daily Mail​

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  • Daily Mail​

Love Island fans fume at show bosses for giving Shakira the 'villain edit' during the Grafties - after 'convincing' her to stay following emotional breakdown

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Kelly Osbourne pays tribute to dad Ozzy who died days after watching her get engaged to rocker boyfriend
Kelly Osbourne pays tribute to dad Ozzy who died days after watching her get engaged to rocker boyfriend

The Sun

time6 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Kelly Osbourne pays tribute to dad Ozzy who died days after watching her get engaged to rocker boyfriend

KELLY Osbourne has paid a moving tribute to her dad Ozzy after he died just days after watching her get engaged. Kelly got engaged to her boyfriend Sid Wilson at the veteran rocker's final concert earlier this month. 4 4 The daughter of Sharon and rock legend Ozzy had shared a video of the moment Sid popped the question backstage at her father's final ever Black Sabbath gig. It was confirmed on Tuesday that Ozzy tragically died following a battle with Parkinson's. The Black Sabbath star revealed he had the disease in an emotional interview in 2020. Now, Kelly has paid moving tribute to her father after his tragic passing. A heartbreaking statement posted on Instagram read: "I feel unhappy I am so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had." Earlier this month, Ozzy was seen unwinding with his family and friends backstage after his last ever performance on stage. But Sid, 48, had an even bigger surprise for Kelly, 40, when he dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him backstage. Stood in front of Sharon and Ozzy, they appeared to have an idea of what was to come as the former X Factor judge could be heard saying to everyone in the room: "You've got to be quiet!" Sid then took the hand of Kelly, who was dressed down in some comfy leopard print trousers and a simple black hoodie. He said to the TV personality: "Kelly, you know I love you more than anything in the world!" Ozzy Osbourne top five greatest moments Ozzy then appeared to give the game away as he jokingly quipped with his signature potty mouth: "F*** off, you are not marrying my daughter!" The group laughed before Sid continued as he said: "I want to spend the rest of my life with you - and ask in front of all of our family and friends, Kelly, will you marry me?" Kelly turned her head as she looked on open-mouthed before Sid began to stand up and place the ring onto her finger. Proud dad Ozzy could not hold back his excitement after the incredible news. 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Hulk Hogan was baptized 18 months before his sudden death: 'Greatest day of my life'
Hulk Hogan was baptized 18 months before his sudden death: 'Greatest day of my life'

Daily Mail​

time36 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Hulk Hogan was baptized 18 months before his sudden death: 'Greatest day of my life'

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan found spiritual peace in the final chapter of his life, publicly committing himself to his faith just a year and a half before his unexpected death the age of 71. In December 2023, the WWE Hall of Famer shared a powerful moment on social media, revealing he had been baptized. 'Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life,' he wrote in a heartfelt post. 'No worries, no hate, no judgment… only love!' A video from the baptism shows Hogan being fully immersed in a pool, then emerging with a broad smile, still wearing his signature bandana. It was a joyful and emotional scene as he shared the experience with his wife, Sky Daily, who was baptized alongside him. 'God is doing amazing things at Indian Rocks,' the church wrote while sharing Hogan's baptism on Instagram, at the time. Prior to his baptism, the six-time WWE champion previously proclaimed his Christian beliefs in public. Earlier in 2023, Hogan tweeted about his religious journey and how he accepted Christ as a teenager. 'I accepted Christ as my savior at 14-years-old and the training, prayers and vitamins kept me in the game but now that I am one with God, the main event theme of surrender, service and love makes me the Real Main Event that can slam any giant of any size through the power of my Lord and Savior and so it is, even now brother, AMEN!' Hogan shared on X (Twitter) in April. The baptism came not long after Hogan and Daily tied the knot in September 2023, as reported by People. Their wedding was described as intimate and faith-centered, reflecting the couple's shared values and spiritual journey. 'God is doing amazing things at Indian Rocks,' the church wrote while sharing Hogan's baptism on Instagram, at the time. Prior to his baptism, the six-time WWE champion previously proclaimed his Christian beliefs in public. In a 2009 interview with TMZ, Hogan mentioned how his faith kept him on the right path during his divorce with ex wife, Linda. 'I've leaned on my religion,' Hogan said. 'I accepted Christ as my savior. He died on the cross and paid for my sins. I found some very good friends who told me about being positive and the power of positive thinking. 'I could have went the wrong way. I could have self-destructed, but I took the high road.' confirmed on Thursday that the WWE icon passed away early in the morning on July 24. 911 operators dispatched paramedics to his Clearwater, Florida home. A Clearwater Police Department spokesman said in a statement: 'Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach. 'The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.' Police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan's home in the immediate aftermath of the emergency, with the reality star carried onto an stretcher and into an ambulance. The shock death comes just weeks after his wife Sky denied rumors he was on his deathbed in a coma - and claimed his heart was 'strong' after he underwent a routine neck surgery. Hogan is survived by his third wife Sky Daily, who he wed in 2023, children Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34, who he shared with first wife Linda Claridge, and two grandchildren. Hulk Hogan's representative, Linda Bose, confirmed his death to CBS NEWS, saying: 'Unfortunately we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan passed away this morning. 'We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.' The Clearwater Police Department confirmed Hogan was ;experiencing a serious medical related issue' at died at 11.17am. There are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity and an investigation into the death is underway. His representative said in a statement last month: 'He's had problems with his back for years but there's no emergency.' Hogan had previously opened up about undergoing '25 surgeries in the past decade.' While appearing on Jake Paul's IMPAULSIVE podcast last year, he said: 'Ten of them were back surgeries. I've had both knees and hips replaced, shoulders — everything.'

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