As celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo faces mounting allegations of inappropriate behavior, former Coronation Street actress Vicky Entwistle has stepped forward to defend him, 

taking a swipe at ITV in the process. Entwistle, who played Janice Battersby on the long-running soap, 

accused the network of hypocrisy, claiming that ITV once embraced D’Acampo’s “cheeky” personality but has now turned against him to fit a “new woke agenda.”

Allegations Against Gino D’Acampo

D’Acampo, 48, has been accused of “sexually inappropriate” and “distressing” behavior by more than 40 individuals, with claims spanning over a 12-year period. 

An investigation by ITV News has revealed multiple allegations from people who worked with him in various capacities. Some of the most serious claims include:

A woman alleging that during a photoshoot, D’Acampo made an explicit and aggressive sexual remark about what he would like to do to her.

Another woman stating that when she arrived to brief him for a location shoot, he greeted her wearing only boxer shorts and made crude jokes about his genitals, making her uncomfortable.

A former crew member on Gino’s Italian Express claiming that D’Acampo once threatened a junior staff member by saying, “If you don’t get me a Cornetto, I will f** your girlfriend.”*

Despite these accusations, D’Acampo has strongly denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “deeply upsetting” and saying they do not align with his character.

Vicky Entwistle’s Defense of D’Acampo

Taking to social media, Entwistle posted a photo of D’Acampo and expressed her skepticism about the allegations. While she admitted she does not personally know him, she questioned ITV’s actions, saying:

“I don’t know this man personally, therefore have no reason to stick my neck out in his defense. BUT!!! ITV played that man for all he was worth… cheeky, naughty, foreign, hilarious!!! It all fitted in 10 years ago… now with a new WOKE agenda they crucify him?!?!”

Her comments suggest she believes ITV knowingly promoted and benefited from D’Acampo’s brash on-screen persona but is now abandoning him in response to shifting public attitudes. Her remarks have sparked debate, with some agreeing that ITV is being opportunistic, while others believe the allegations should be taken seriously regardless of past endorsements.

Fred Sirieix Subtly Shows Support

Meanwhile, First Dates star Fred Sirieix, who worked alongside D’Acampo on Gordon, Gino & Fred’s Road Trip, has remained largely silent on the allegations. However, over the weekend, he appeared to show support for his co-star by liking an Instagram video of D’Acampo interacting with fans at a meet-and-greet event.

Sirieix’s gesture, though small, has been interpreted as an indication that he is standing by D’Acampo amid the controversy. This contrasts with reports that Gordon Ramsay distanced himself from D’Acampo due to alleged “inappropriate behavior,” which reportedly contributed to the end of their travel show.

D’Acampo’s Response to the Accusations

In a formal statement released through his legal team, D’Acampo reiterated his denial of the allegations and emphasized that he had never been made aware of any such complaints before. He stated:

“I have been told by ITN news that allegations have been made about me acting inappropriately, some dating back over ten years ago. I have never been made aware of these matters previously and the allegations are firmly denied. I would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone. This is simply not in my nature. I do not recognize the version of events being put to me.”

He further pointed out that ITV had consistently supported him over the years, commissioning multiple prime-time shows despite the alleged incidents now coming to light.

“Not only have these allegations never been raised with me before, but I have been repeatedly supported by executives at the highest level and was commissioned on prime-time programs during the period in which it is now suggested I was acting inappropriately.”

Expressing his frustration and disappointment, he added:

“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 is deeply upsetting.”

ITV’s Silence and Growing Backlash

Despite the mounting controversy, ITV has yet to issue a comprehensive response beyond pulling reruns of D’Acampo’s shows from their schedule. The network’s silence has fueled speculation about what they may have known and when. Some critics argue that if ITV executives were aware of complaints against D’Acampo, they should be held accountable for failing to act sooner.

Conversely, others, like Entwistle, believe ITV is being disingenuous—capitalizing on D’Acampo’s provocative personality for ratings when it suited them, only to discard him when public scrutiny intensified.

What’s Next?

With public opinion divided, it remains to be seen how ITV will handle the growing pressure to address the allegations directly. If more individuals come forward, the scandal could escalate further, leading to legal consequences or a permanent end to D’Acampo’s television career.

For now, while some former colleagues have distanced themselves from him, others, like Entwistle and Sirieix, appear to be standing by him—either vocally or subtly. As the investigation unfolds, the industry will be watching closely to see if ITV takes greater responsibility for its role in enabling or ignoring D’Acampo’s alleged behavior.

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