Author: bang1

One ‘hardworking’ member of the Royal Family was once praised by a close protection officer as one of the ‘nicest of them all’ and dubbed a total ‘gem’ by the bodyguard

It isn’t often that the public gets to hear what the close protection officers who take care of the Royal Family think about their principals.

But on a major landmark birthday a few years ago, one of the highly trained officers opened up about one member of the House of Windsor, and sung their praises.

In a profile released to mark the ever-popular Princess Anne’s 70th birthday back in 2020, the close protection officer couldn’t have spoken of the Princess Royal more highly, dubbing her a total “gem” and admitting that in their view she was one of the “nicest” members of the Royal Family.

“She’s a gem. Truly one of the nicest and most hardworking of them all,” the CPO told Vanity Fair.

Numbers don’t lie, and Princess Anne was indeed named the hardest-working royal in 2024 – carrying out hundreds of official engagements representing the crown, and it was the fourth year in a row she had earned the title.

Anne admitted to Vanity Fair that her love for getting as much work done as possible does make things a little trickier for her royal aides who have to make sure all the practicalities are attended to.

“I make their lives more difficult in terms of the logistics, I’m afraid, but if I’m going to be in London, I don’t want to be hanging about.

“A lot of stuff goes on here, so there’s a question of filling in the time. I’m fortunate that the program that I make up is a direct result of being asked to do these things. It would be a pity if you didn’t try and do them,” Anne explained.

The protection officer wasn’t the only person willing to sing Anne’s praises for the landmark birthday – another source who spoke to the magazine and has worked closely with the Princess revealed just how personable and easy to get along with Anne can be.

“She’s had me in stitches over some very naughty jokes,” said John McLean, who is chairman of one of Anne’s patronages, the Carers Trust.

McLean also admitted that Anne visits multiple times a year, and some of the trips are undertaken privately too, and he praised the work she has done with the organisation.

Princess Anne will turn 75 this year and shows no signs of slowing down. She is currently on an official solo royal visit to South Africa, where she has visited a wide range of organisations, including the South African Riding for the Disabled Association, and unveiled the new Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial as part of her role as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

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The Princess of Wales revealed she is in remission from cancer after an emotional visit to the hospital that treated her – and an insider has given an insight into Kate’s life after her significant update

The Princess of Waleses’ cancer journey has been “harder than we perhaps thought”, according to an insider – but she’s moving forward with “positivity and hope”.

Kate, 43, revealed after her first solo engagement since revealing she had received a cancer diagnosis that she is now in remission. The news came after she visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in London where she received her cancer treatment to thank staff and meet patients on their own cancer journey.

During the visit, she opened up about the shock of her diagnosis, how tough her chemotherapy treatment had been and even how she was fitted with a port in order to deliver her treatment.

Kate revealed she is now in remission ( 
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POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Hours after her trip to the Royal Marsden, Kate took to social media, where she described her relief at being in remission and said “there is much to look forward to”. And an insider told People: “It has been a tough journey – harder than we perhaps thought. She has been through a lot, and it has been a rough road. Serious illness like cancer does change you.

“She has a young family, and it makes you rethink everything – your purpose and what you want to do with your life.” They added: “She has drawn a line under the last year, and she can move forward. The word ‘remission’ is such a positive one to use, and it just feels like a veil has been lifted on their life of the last year, and that they can move forward with positivity and hope.”

Kate’s statement about her cancer update was the first time she described herself as being in remission following her diagnosis last February.

In a heartfelt message on X, she said: “I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year. My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who have quietly walked alongside William and me as we have navigated everything. We couldn’t have asked for more. The care and advice we have received throughout my time as a patient has been exceptional.

Kate during her visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London ( 
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Getty Images)
“In my new role as Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is, that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer.

“It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.” The message was signed off with a C denoting it was a personal message from the princess.

The mum-of-three took an extended break away from royal duties after major abdominal surgery last year to concentrate on her recovery following her cancer diagnosis, only making brief appearances at Wimbledon in the summer, the King’s official birthday celebrations in London and her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

On completing her chemotherapy treatment in September, she released a video alongside her family promising to stand shoulder to shoulder with those facing their own battles, saying: “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”

Royal aides said Kate’s visit to the Royal Marsden was “incredibly poignant for the princess, Kate thanked medical staff for their “care, support and compassion” and swapped stories with patients who are still undergoing their own treatment.

Queen Camilla welcomed Olympic and Paralympic equestrians, as well as the grooms, coaches and managers at a reception at Clarence House after last year’s successes

The Queen was tickled to receive a drawing from the daughter of an Olympic horsewoman in which she shared her dream of being a princess.

Camilla giggled as she was presented with the artwork by team eventing gold medallist Ros Canter, whose daughter Ziggy, five, had asked her to pass it on. “My daughter was jealous of me coming here,” Ros told the Queen, adding, “She wants to be a princess.” “That’s very sweet. Tell her I will send her a letter,” replied Camilla.

“She loved it,” said Ros afterwards. “She said she was going to write her a letter back. So that’d be amazing. She’ll be the talk of the school, so she’ll be very proud of that.

Camilla reading the note written by Rosalind Canter’s (left) daughter ( 
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Camilla met Ros and six of her Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian team mates as she hosted a reception at Clarence House for them and the grooms, owners, coaches and managers who helped make last summer’s Games one of their most successful of recent years. Paralympians Natasha Baker, Sophie Wells, Georgia Wilson and Mari Durward-Akhurst, who brought home one silver and six bronze medals between them were among the guests.

Grooms, managers and coaches also attended ( 
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Getty Images)

Natasha said: “We spoke about the fact that it was my fourth Paralympics and I’ve become a bit of a seasoned pro now, and we spoke about where we keep our medals. I keep mine in socks, because the boxes are so big you can’t fit them in your handbag, so if they’re in socks, they don’t clang together and damage each other.

Queen Camilla enjoyed her afternoon ( 
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PA)
“Clean socks!” she clarified, adding of the Queen’s response, “She thought it was hilarious.”

Camilla had been due to attend a reception for Team GB athletes at Buckingham Palace before Christmas, but had to pull out while recovering from pneumonia. Natasha said: “We met the King then, which was lovely, but she was disappointed to miss it, I think she likes a good get together.”

Queen Camilla speaks to Sophie Wells ( 
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Getty Images)

“She’s just so knowledgeable about horses and equestrian sporting in general, and she’s so supportive of us. You know, hosting events like this, it’s such a huge honour for us to be invited to come along and to be able to meet her.”

Also attending were reserve athletes, grooms and along with performance managers, coaches, vets and human and equine physiotherapists from the British Equestrian World Class Programme. In an impromptu speech to 93 guests, Camilla, who has been patron of the British Equestrian Federation since 2006, said: “I’m so proud to be your patron and it made us all very proud to be British.“I’m sorry I wasn’t there, but I was watching very keenly every bit of it on the television and it really did bring tears to the eyes. So thank you, the whole team, for everything you do and let’s keep the British the best.”

Attendees at today’s event ( 
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Getty Images)
Camilla’s words followed those of the BEF’s CEO Jim Eyre, who had joked: “2024 was an incredible year. It pains me to say how well the French did. It was a roller coaster year, and there were the highs and there were the lows, and that our teams were able to perform so extraordinarily well and every rider came back with a medal, it’s testament to the talent we have within this country.”

He presented the Queen with a souvenir photobook from the Paris Games, compiled by team photographer Jon Stroud, joking it had “all the gory snapshots, the tears, the thrills and the medals.”

The memorial playground dedicated to the late Princess of Wales in Kensington Gardens and visited by a million people a year is set to get a ‘Peter Pan’ makeover

Princess Diana’s love of children will be celebrated with a £3million revamp of the playground built in her memory.

The memorial playground dedicated to the late Princess of Wales in Kensington Gardens and visited by a million people a year is to get a ‘Peter Pan’ makeover.

The site, which opened in 2000 marking what would have been the princess’s 39th birthday, will close for six months from this autumn while its ageing features are replaced.

The Royal Parks charity said the refit will feature a new galleon to replace the old pirate ship which will be more accessible for youngsters of all abilities.

The refit will feature a new galleon ( 
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PA)

Plans will “retain the characteristics of the existing Peter Pan-inspired playground but will provide more accessible and inclusive play, as well as challenging physical play, so that children of all abilities can enjoy creative and imaginative play together”.

The galleon will include an additional ‘crow’s nest’ and a double storey ‘stern’ with a ship’s wheel and a telescope.

The galleon will include an additional ‘crow’s nest’ and a double storey ‘stern’ with a ship’s wheel and a telescope ( 
Image:
PA)
A new multiple-level Tree House encampment, constructed with sustainably-sourced timber, will provide opportunities for children to climb and play at different heights and includes areas accessible to wheelchairs. Three towers at different heights will provide different levels of challenge, while other features include a suspension bridge, a tunnel slide, a rope bridge and a see-saw bridge with a slide.

A redesigned and improved Mermaid Fountain will expand the water and sand play area. The new designs will allow runoff water to be collected and reused for irrigation.

Three towers at different heights will provide different levels of challenge ( 
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PA)
New tree planting for shade and biodiversity, together with sensory, allergy-friendly and pollinator-friendly planting will improve the playground’s natural setting, alongside new seating and paths which will improve access for all.

Andy Williams, Park Manager, Kensington Gardens says: “It’s been wonderful to welcome millions and millions of children to what is arguably the most famous playground in the world, set against the beautiful backdrop of Kensington Gardens.

The playground was opened to mark what would have been the Princess’ 39th birthday ( 
Image:
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Diana with husband Charles and sons William and Harry ( 
Image“We’re delighted to share the first designs for this exciting renewal which will retain the character of the existing playground, but will incorporate new improved features, inspiring children to be curious about the natural environment, for many years.

“We’re working together with local communities, especially children, to gather and incorporate their feedback into the designs at every stage, so that all children feel welcome and can enjoy free, accessible, creative and social play, fostering their health and wellbeing.”

The playground will reopen in spring 2026.

The first ever winner of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Tony Blackburn, appeared on The One Show to discuss his time in the jungle, with his blunt advice leaving the hosts in stitches.

BBC radio icon Tony Blackburn, who clinched the title in the inaugural I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! back in 2002, graced The One Show with his presence alongside Loose Women panellist Judi Love this evening.

Chatting to presenters Alex Jones and Roman Kemp, Tony reminisced about his jungle adventure two decades on from his victory in the much-loved ITV show.

Though Tony shared some fascinating titbits about his stint on the program, it was one particularly forthright comment he made that left the presenters momentarily lost for words after a question from Alex, reports Wales Online.

“Tony, you won it, you were the first king of the jungle,” Alex prompted. “What advice would you give to the campmates?”

Tony Blackburn appeared on The One Show ( 
Image:
BBC)

In response, Tony deadpanned: “Don’t do it.” This provoked a burst of laughter from both Roman and Alex, evidently taken aback by his candidness.

“Get out of there,” chipped in Alex, going along with the levity before Tony pointed out he was “making a joke”.

Delving deeper into his Jungle experience, Tony expressed: “It’s a hard show to do. I’m a vegetarian and I didn’t have to eat all that stuff.

“I couldn’t do it now – it’s horrible, the stuff they have to eat. But I think you’ve just got to be yourself on, it because that’s all you can do.”

The 2024 season of I’m A Celebrity promises to be a glittering affair, featuring an ensemble of fan favourites like Love Island star Maura Higgins, McFly’s Danny Jones and the adored Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse, all competing to seize the jungle crown.

Tonight’s instalment of the show will see the campmates compete for a coveted gold ticket to the legendary Celebrity Cyclone, granting them immunity from the next two eliminations.

Roman and Alex were in stitches ( 
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BBC)
However, this new twist has left some fans disgruntled, with accusations flying at ITV for “ruining” the series. Discontented viewers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction.

On X, previously known as Twitter, one user expressed: “Nah, not up for this at all. Taking part in the cyclone is a privilege bestowed by the viewers. You’ve actually ruined a great series by doing this. And we all know it’ll be Colleen.” (sic)

Another viewer aired their concerns about the potential impact on the show’s dynamics, saying: “If this is an immunity thing, please don’t. It skews the order in which the public vote them out. I’m always suspicious of this. You know who is likely to be up next and are trying to save them unfairly.”Despite the backlash, some fans are eager to see how the competition unfolds, with one enthusiast commenting: “Soooo good! Love it.” (sic)

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! fans have voted Dean McCullough to be the second person sent home from the camp just days after Jane Moore was brutally sent packing

The second person has been sent home from the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! camp.

During Sunday night’s episode, hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly announced that Dean McCullough was the second person to leave the Australian jungle. The vote was between him and Irish boxer Barry McGuigan – who only just won 10 stars for the camp during his ‘impossible’ trial.

Immediately after being voted out, Dean said: “I’m going home, I’m going home, I need my underwear, I’ll see you later! I’m going home!” Speaking to Ant and Dec in the studio following the eviction, he said: “Boys, it’s absolutely nuts. I still can’t believe I’m here.” When Ant and Dec pointed out he didn’t look disappointed to be voted out, he said: “Not at all, I have really soaked up this whole experience. All the trials.”

The hosts then brought up the fact Dean yelled out ‘ I’m A celebrity, get me out of here!’ multiple times to get out of trials. Ant admitted he was harsh with the radio star, with Dean yelling out: “You were so harsh!” However, the hosts claimed it was simply ‘tough love’ to get Dean to finish the tasks as they thought they were “do-able”.

It comes just days after Loose Women’s Jane Moore was sent packing as the first evictee. Earlier this week, Jane was chosen as the first person to leave the Australian jungle after taking part in gruelling trials and eating measly meals of beans and rice.

Dean McCullough was the second star to be voted out ( 
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ITV)
Jane spoke to Ant and Dec following her departure, describing her stint in the jungle as “such a weird and magical experience”.

When asked if she was disappointed to be first out, she responded: “No more washing up – yes!” She also stated that: “Hard work doesn’t get rewarded.” During her stint in the jungle, Jane came under fire after she accused Barry McGuigan and Danny Jones of being “sexist” and “ageist” over a camp chore.

Reflecting, she said: “I collected the logs, I built the fire, I emptied the dunny, because my partner was Dean, who was on trials all the time. So I did it all on my own, put out the rubbish. I had three jobs. I worked like a dog, and then they gave me the washing up, which is a really tough job to go three times a day all the way to the bottom of the creek, lugging everything. I wasn’t pleased about that, to be honest. I said to Danny when he walked out: ‘don’t give me cleaning’.”

She added that she “can’t wait to get rid of the washing up,” adding: “I’m never washing up again, ever. Yeah, it’s been hard work down there this year.” She also shared her thoughts on who should win the show. Picking Melvin Odoom and Coleen Rooney, she said: “I think Melvin is an absolute slogger. He’s very quiet. He doesn’t push himself forward. Colleen is another one. So they keep everything going. They’re not flamboyant but they’re solid.”

The first campmate to be booted off this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity was announced to camp on Friday, with Loose Women’s Jane Moore the first evictee of the new series

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! star Jane Moore has made her first TV appearance after being evicted from the Australian jungle.

The TV star, 62, reunited with her Loose Women co-stars on Monday as she joined Christine Lampard, Linda Robson, Judi Love, and Brenda Edwards via video call from Down Under. During the call, Jane addressed her anger over being given the task of washing up by jungle camp leaders, Barry McGuigan and Danny Jones.

When asked about the backlash she received after standing up and calling both Barry and Danny ‘sexist’ for giving her the duty of washing up in camp, Jane said there was a deeper reason why she was so annoyed.

“The first eight or nine days I was collecting the logs, but when you do that, it’s not just collecting logs. You have to go down over a hundred steps, right down to the bottom of the jungle and then collect all the logs and bring them all the way back up those steps. I then had to keep the fire going, I was emptying the toilet and I was taking out the rubbish.

Jane shared her real reason for getting angry ( 
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ITV)

“You always have a camp workmate, but my workmate was Dean and the poor love was consistently on trials so he was always out of the camp and so I was doing it all on my own. In the first week, I was doing it all on my own – even though I am quite physically strong. I was trying to preserve my energy but by the end of week one, I was completely exhausted physically and mentally.”

Jane went on: “So when there was a change of leaders, I said to Danny to please not give me the task of washing up or cleaning as I called it, because that is actually the most physically draining and demanding job in camp because again you have to go up and down those hundreds of steps and it’s three if not four times a day, with two massive buckets full of all the dishes and cutlery.

“Then there’s a cast iron pot and frying pan. They didn’t hear me say that, so they gave me the washing up. Tulisa has a bad back too so the pair of us really struggled with that.”

During Friday’s instalment of I’m A Celebrity, it was announced that Loose Women’s Jane was the first campmate voted off the new series of the ITV show. Jane spoke to Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly following her departure, describing her stint in the jungle as “such a weird and magical experience”.

Whilst talking to Ant and Dec, Jane reflected on the experience of having been a campmate. When asked if she was disappointed to be first out, she responded: “No more washing up – yes!” She also stated that: “Hard work doesn’t get rewarded.”

Kaye Adams opened up on Loose Women about losing both of her parents and how this has impacted Christmas for her, as the panel discussed grief during the festive period

Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams has admitted she had to “reinvent” Christmas following the loss of a parent in a candid confession.

The ITV star discussed grief and Christmas with her fellow Loose Women – Frankie Bridge, Kelly Brooks and Kéllé Bryan – in an emotional segment on the daytime show on Wednesday (December 4).

Kaye, 61, opened up about losing both her mum and dad, revealing her first Christmas without her father felt like she was “sleep walking”. She told her co-stars: “I think you kind of have to reinvent it. Like similar to you, I’ve lost both my mum and my dad, and Christmas was always, always at their house. The first one after my dad died, we just kind of slept walked through it.”

Kaye discussed losing her parents with her Loose Women co-stars
“We went through the motions. We were kind of anaesthetised to the whole thing. You did it , because it felt like a big thing to ignore it, but like I say, we were sleep walking. But in the years since, you’ve just got to reinvent it. Because it was so much associated with them. For us, we just had to have a different thing,” Kaye emotionally added.

Elsewhere in Wednesday’s show, the Loose Women were joined by TV chef Gino D’Acampo, as he promoted his new cook book. However, things turned awkward as outspoken Gino made an ‘awkward’ remark about an on-screen ‘kiss rule’.

Just seconds after appearing on the panel, things took a turn as Gino went around a gave each of the presenters a kiss on the cheek. It appears as though he broke a rule as he went on to reveal: “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.”

Gino D’Acampo appeared on Loose Women on Wednesday ( 
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ITV)
The panellists laughed off the remark as Kelly turned to Gino and joked: “Well I think you’ve just got fired.,” as the panel burst out laughing as a baffled Gino questioned: “What, for a kiss?”

Viewers watching at home wasted no time sharing their reaction online as one viewer took to X, formally known as Twitter and pointed out: “That was very awkward…. #loosewomen Frankie looked uncomfortable.”

#Another commented: “#loosewomen Gino being so careful with his innuendo today.” One wrote: “Careful Gino they’ll be wanting to cancel you. #loosewomen.” Meanwhile another asked: “Do you really think they told him not to kiss them? #Loosewomen.”

Loose Women star Ruth Langsford has revealed her hopes for Coleen Rooney to join the ITV panel following her success on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!

Ruth Langsford has set her sights on a new Loose Women panelist.

The TV star, 64, jetted Down Under to support her co-star Jane Moore following her exit from the I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! jungle. However, she appears to be trying to recruit another member for the Loose Women panel. ITV are reportedly wanting to sign Coleen Rooney to the hit daytime show upon her jungle exit.

The WAG is a fan favourite to be crowned Queen of the Jungle and has spilled on her life with famous husband Wayne and their four sons. Coleen has already appeared on Loose Women as a guest but has never secured a permanent spot. She is said to have turned down the opportunity while her sons Kai, 15, Klay, 11, Kit, eight, and Cass, five, were young.

Ruth confessed she would “love” to have Coleen on the show and branded it “absolutely fantastic”. Speaking on spin-off show, I’m A Celebrity… Unpacked she said: “On Loose Women, we share our lives, warts and all. So actually the fact that we don’t know Coleen very well, she’s very private, maybe now she’s felt comfortable enough to open up and she’s met Jane, they’ve become friends, so Coleen please come on.”

Ruth has flown to Australia to be at the I’m A Celebrity camp ( 
Image:
Ruth Langsford/Instagram)

Coleen has been impressing viewers ( 
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James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Loose Women’s Jane reunited with her co-stars earlier today as she joined Christine Lampard, Linda Robson, Judi Love, and Brenda Edwards via video call after her exit. She threw her support behind Coleen and said she deserves to win the show. Jane admitted that she felt she couldn’t get too close to Coleen, 38, given that she was from a journalistic background. However, as the days went on, Jane found herself gravitating towards WAG Coleen more and more.

Jane told her Loose Women co-stars that the mum-of-four is quite reserved and quiet in the jungle. “I now call her Col. We’re not Coleen anymore, we’re Col. She’s brilliant. She’s very quiet and quite reserved. I thought in the camp that I would quietly get to know her. I wanted her to come out of her shell a bit, and she did confide in me that she was a bit overwhelmed by all the big personalities in camp – which is understandable. I really think that she’s coming into her own now. She is such a grafter and I hope she wins.”

Jane became the first celebrity of the series to be eliminated from the show. The TV star described her stint in the jungle as “such a weird and magical experience”. Talking about Jane’s performance upon landing in Australia, Ruth told the Mirror: “I thought Jane was extraordinary in her challenge when she swam underwater. That was extremely difficult, I would not have been able to do that. She was very calm, and you noticed that the only person who didn’t scream on the bus was Jane. She is a good woman.”

Gino D’Acampo appeared on ITV Loose Women on Wednesday afternoon alongside panellists Kaye Adams, Frankie Bridge, Kelly Brooks, Kelly Holmes

Loose Women hosts were left taken back as Gino D’Acampo made an ‘awkward’ remark about an on-screen ‘kiss rule’.

During Wednesday’s episode of the ITV hit chat show, panellists Kaye Adams, Frankie Bridge, Kelly Brooks, Kelly Holmes were joined by the Italian TV chef, 48, as he promoted his new cook book.

However just seconds after appearing on the panel, things took a turn as Gino went around a gave each of the presenters a kiss on the check.

It appears as though he broke a rule as he went on to reveal: “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 panellists laughed off the remark as Kelly turned to Gino and joked: “Well I think you’ve just got fired.” Everyone burst out laughing as a baffled Gino questioned: “What, for a kiss?”

Gino D’Acampo appeared on Loose Women on Wednesday ( 
Image:
ITV)
Viewers watching at home wasted no time sharing their reaction online as one viewer took to X, formally known as Twitter and pointed out: “That was very awkward…. #loosewomen Frankie looked uncomfortable.”

#Another commented: “#loosewomen Gino being so careful with his innuendo today.” One wrote: “Careful Gino they’ll be wanting to cancel you. #loosewomen.” Meanwhile another asked: “Do you really think they told him not to kiss them?? #Loosewomen.”

Talk soon turned to Gino’s ‘ultimate air fryer cookbook’ that has quickly become one of Sunday Times Bestsellers. Kaye was quick to point out: “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.”

Pointing at the book, Gino insisted: “An Italian who made a hell of a lot of money.” Kaye jumped in: “At least you are honest.”

Gino’s remark comes following the Gregg Wallace controversy surrounding allegations of inappropriate comments to female contestants.

Gregg has been hit with allegations of inappropriate comments to female contestants ( 
Image:
BBC)
The former MasterChef presenter, 60, has recently been embroiled in scandal after a number of people stepped forward to claim he had used inappropriate sexual language on the set of his BBC show.

Attempting to address the allegations, Gregg released a string of videos to his Instagram Stories in which he argued those making claims against him were “a handful of middle class women of a certain age” but he later apologised for the remark.

Meanwhile, Celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials have been dropped from TV schedules. The BBC has confirmed that it will not air the previously recorded specials, Radio Times reports.

Two episodes, titled Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza, were due to air over the Christmas period, but have since been pulled after the BBC faced mounting pressure.

Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV and ITVX