Gino D’Acampo is making a dramatic return to screens just months after being axed by ITV amid a wave of allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women.
The 48-year-old celebrity chef, who has denied all accusations, is now set to star in a new travel documentary An Italian in Malta, and has quietly landed a role in a scripted Irish drama, where he’ll play a troublemaking Italian-American mechanic.
This comeback follows a turbulent period where an ITV probe uncovered over a decade of “distressing and horrendous” claims about his conduct, prompting the broadcaster to drop all his shows.
Speaking about the new travel series, Gino said he aims to find the “perfect restaurant, perfect recipe, perfect spot” on the island he now calls his second home.
But Gino isn’t stopping there. He also confirmed he’s been filming in Ireland for his acting debut, portraying a grease-covered, law-skirting mechanic. “I’m useless at mechanics in real life, but I’m loving this acting experience,” he admitted.
His return, however, is clouded in fresh controversy. Just last month, he came under fire again for crass comments during a radio interview, suggesting “real men want things to grab” and encouraging women not to get “too skinny.”
And former TV co-star Melanie Sykes reignited concerns by calling for the industry to “clean out” the “monsters,” recalling her own experiences alongside Gino during their time on Let’s Do Lunch.
Despite the backlash, Gino remains defiant. He insists not everyone turned their backs on him and claims his friendship with Gordon Ramsay remains strong.
Whether audiences will welcome his return—or turn away—remains to be seen.
