A BBC News investigation into the conduct of TV chef Gregg Wallace has led to a series of allegations against fellow television personality Gino D’Acampo. The investigation initially focused on Wallace, with 13 individuals accusing him of making inappropriate sexual comments. However, the probe has now expanded to include accusations against D’Acampo, with claims of his making “unacceptable,” “distressing,” and “horrendous” remarks to numerous people, including one incident dating back to a 2011 magazine shoot.
The allegations against D'Acampo surface at a time when the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, has issued warnings about the pervasive "cultures of silence" within the media industry. This comes alongside ITV's efforts over the past five years to reinforce policies regarding expected standards from production companies. Despite these measures, many concerns and complaints were not reported to ITV at the time of their occurrence.
One woman, who worked with D'Acampo during a 2011 magazine shoot, described his comments as a "power play," characterizing them as aggressive. Another woman alleged that D'Acampo greeted her wearing only boxing shorts while working on a TV production, a situation she described as leaving her "disgusted."
"I definitely saw it as some kind of power play. The very act of what he said was aggressive." – A woman who claimed D'Acampo made sexualized comments to her
In response to these allegations, Gino D'Acampo's legal team has issued a strong denial. They assert that D'Acampo does not recall the incidents in question and categorically denies any wrongdoing. His legal representatives emphasized that the accusations were never previously raised or put to him.
"He does not recall it, nor accept that this happened. Mr. D'Acampo is horrified to be accused of 'power play' and an 'aggressive act'. He emphatically and unequivocally denies these allegations." – Gino D'Acampo's legal team
D'Acampo himself has expressed dismay over the accusations, highlighting his extensive career and collaborations.
"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." – Gino D'Acampo
The allegations have prompted Banijay UK, the production company behind MasterChef, to launch an investigation into the claims against D'Acampo. The company seeks to address and verify the validity of these accusations in light of their serious nature.
ITV has also commented on the situation, noting that while they have implemented stricter policies regarding workplace behavior standards, the primary responsibility for the duty of care lies with production companies. This stance underscores the need for all entities involved in media production to foster environments where such complaints can be safely reported and addressed.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains crucial for those in positions of authority in the media industry to ensure that allegations of this nature are thoroughly examined and appropriately handled. The case against Gino D'Acampo highlights broader issues within the industry concerning workplace behavior and accountability.
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