Italian chef Gino D’Acampo was axed by ITV after accusations of ‘unacceptable’ behaviour, which he has denied – and has returned to public life with a racy radio interview

Former ITV chef Gino D’Acampo has been caught making sexualised comments about women’s bodies during a radio appearance on Vibe FM in Malta. The Italian star told show hosts that a “real man” wants women to have “things to grab”, while explaining that he prefers a curvier figure.

This was one of his first public engagements since he was axed by ITV this February after the broadcaster received complaints about his “unacceptable” treatment of staff he had worked alongside for over 12 years. D’Acampo has denied all the allegations, calling them “deeply upsetting”. During the live radio segment, one of the presenters mentioned she often goes on diets.

Gino D’Acampo made crass comments about curvy women during a recent radio appearance ( 
Image:
Instagram)

He responded: “Only dogs like bones. A real man, he wants the meat, you know, the things to grab. Don’t get too skinny, otherwise it’s like, no.” When Nicole was silent, he asked: “Now do you understand that Nicole, or do I need to explain that?” She replied: “I think it was very clear.”

D’Acampo went on to compare Italian food to men from his home country, saying: “I’m going to tell you a secret, Italian food is like Italian men, minimum effort, maximum satisfaction.”

The former This Morning star later told Nicole, “You’re too pretty for radio,” before making another comment that raised eyebrows. He asked a male guest on the show: “Do I know your mum? Did I take your mama out for dinner or something? I meet a lot of people and usually the ones I remember are blonde, they’re tall — we do an activity together.”

He told the show host that a “real man” wants “things to grab” ( 
Image:
Instagram)
D’Acampo has been absent from UK television since February, when he was dropped from ITV programming following allegations of inappropriate behaviour dating back more than a decade. D’Acampo has denied all claims, but the broadcaster confirmed it had no future plans to work with him.

The allegations, which were first revealed by ITV News, reportedly involve over 40 individuals and relate to D’Acampo’s time on shows like This Morning and Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip. One of the most recent complaints was said to have been made in 2023.

ITV News Reporter Sejal Karia and senior producer Liz Little said that several former staff described his alleged actions as “aggressive and abusive”, but many were hesitant to speak out publicly for fear of losing work.

Despite the serious nature of the claims, D’Acampo has recently started to re-emerge as a public figure. Earlier this month, he posted behind-the-scenes photos from a new acting project in Ireland, sparking speculation that he’s attempting to pivot into drama.

In the Instagram post, he wrote: “What a fantastic experience in Ireland working on a new series… I can’t wait for you guys to see it… p.s Happy St Patrick’s Day.” Some members of the production have praised his conduct on set, with Director of Photography Michael Benson describing the chef as “an absolute gentleman to work with”.