Gino D’Acampo has left co-stars Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix and ITV “blind” and “stunned” after leaving ‘Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip’, Web can exclusively reveal.
The 46-year-old chef said Sunday he was leaving the popular show after three series over a dispute over “complicated” contacts.
But insiders claim Gino’s statement took those connected to the series completely by surprise, as they believed negotiations were progressing well and were confident of signing a deal that was fair to all parties.
The show followed the Italian TV favorite as he travels the world with fellow foodies Gordon and Fred to explore local cuisine.
Gino said in his statement that his friendships with his former colleagues had nothing to do with his exit and that their “strong” bond meant more to him than disputes over contracts.
His departure comes just two weeks after First Dates star Fred told Web that the show’s big three stars are “arriving” in terms of contracting.
Exit: Gino D’Acampo has left ITV ‘blind’ and ‘stunned’ after leaving Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip, Web can reveal
Travel: In the show, the Italian TV favorite (left) traveled the world with fellow foodies Gordon Ramsay (centre) and Fred Sirieix (right) as they explored the local cuisine
However, insiders wouldn’t rule out Gino changing his mind and making a U-turn.
A source said: “Everyone involved with the show was shocked by Gino’s post.
“As for bosses, talks were ongoing and an agreement was within reach.
“Due to the trio’s schedules, contract negotiations are always difficult, so the shooting window in which they can actually get the three together is pretty narrow.
‘But Gino has clearly lost patience and retired.’
The source added: “The bosses are hoping to convince Gino to stay with Gordon and Fred because they really have fun together and are great on TV.”
Gino told his followers on Instagram: “Last week I decided to stop filming road trips with Gordon, Gino and Fred. The reason is very simple – nothing to do with Gordon or Fred, the friendship is very strong.’
He continued, “It’s just because we can’t get the dates together and sometimes when we get the dates together they change and that causes me a lot of problems because I have other things to do.
Tricky: Gino said his friendships with his former colleagues had nothing to do with his exit as their “strong” bond meant more to him than disputes over contracts
Honesty: Told his followers: “Last week I decided to stop filming road trips with Gordon, Gino and Fred. The reason is quite simple – nothing to do with Gordon or Fred, the friendship is very strong.
Saucy stuff: The popular show first aired in 2018 as the trio toured France and Italy before heading to America in 2020, followed by a trip to Greece two years later – as well as three Christmas specials
“Also personal problems because it is very complicated when I have to change something with my family and also because [of] Contracts’.
Gino is married to Jessica Stellina Morrison, with whom he has sons Luciano, 21, and Rocco, 18, and daughter Mia, nine.
Gino continued: “Personally, because contracts get very complicated and very stressful, I value the friendship with Gordon and Fred so much that I’d rather have the friendship than fight with the contract.”
“So I decided not to do it anymore because I want to be friends with the boys for many, many years.”
An ITV spokesman said: “A brand new series of Gordon, Gino & Fred’s road trip in Spain will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX later this year” – having already filmed.
The popular show first aired in 2018 as the trio toured France and Italy before heading to America in 2020, followed by a trip to Greece two years later.
The series has also spawned three Christmas specials.
Both Fred and Gordon have yet to comment on Gino’s post or share their own news about the show’s restructuring, despite spending hours on Instagram.
During promotional interviews for his new Channel 4 series, Fred’s Last Resort, Gino’s co-star Fred Sirieix told Web on March 7 that the trio are busy organizing the show’s next series.
However, he did hint that trouble was brewing behind the scenes – with Fred noting there was an issue trying to pin everyone.
Shock: Insiders claim Gino’s statement took those connected to the series completely by surprise as they believed negotiations were going well and were confident of signing a deal that is fair to all parties (LR) Fred, Bruno, Gordon
He said: “Yes, we are talking about dates at the moment to go on the next road trip together. It’s a bit difficult to juggle all our diaries, but we’re getting there.’
He went on to say that a hectic schedule is no problem for him, stating: “I’m busy…the beauty of my career is that no two days are the same and that’s why I like that it’s very varied.”
“I meet a lot of people in different settings, be it in restaurants or on TV, and I find it really exciting.
“I don’t mind being busy, I actually like being busy because the busier you are, the busier you get, and when I’m busier, I’m happy. If I’m not busy, I’m not happy.”
He echoed the sentiments during a chat with ITV’s Lorraine Kelly 10 days ago, when he said on Friday 10th: “We’re talking about dates for the next one. It’s difficult to juggle all of our diaries.
“But we’re getting there – we’re getting there.”
Web has reached out to Fred and Gordon’s representatives for comment.
Silence: Fred (right) found out Gino (left) had left Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip just days earlier as he and Gordon Ramsay remain silent after news
Confused: Fred told Web on March 7 the trio were busy organizing the show’s next series and repeated the claims three days later on ITV’s Lorraine
Back in December, Gino recalled first meeting his wife during an appearance on Good Morning Britain. He was a 17-year-old chef and she was a waitress in a restaurant.
He opened up about falling in love with Jessica and said how they “first kissed in the meat fridge.”
However, the This Morning regularly raised eyebrows as he spilled the beans over the pair taking their romance to the next level, telling how, as an inexperienced teenager, he hoped to “get laid” when she took him over to cook invited himself home.
Born in Naples, Gino originally moved to the UK at the age of 19 to work at The Orchard Restaurant in London.
He then began his TV career in 2004 and became a household name, being crowned “I’m A Celeb’s King of the Jungle” in 2009.
As well as cooking, he has also worked as a presenter and now runs ITV’s Family Fortunes after the channel revived the show in 2020.
He has shocked viewers with a slew of colorful incidents and innuendos that aren’t always appropriate for daytime television.
Most recently, he left This Morning viewers in hysterics earlier this month when he embarked on a mission to learn how corks are made.
Lovebirds: Gino is married to Jessica Stellina Morrison (pictured together in 2015)
Boys: The couple have sons Luciano, 21, and Rocco, 18, together
The celebrity chef was misunderstood when he said an X-rated word during the segment.
Presenter Phillip Schofield was then forced to interrupt the pre-recorded clip of Gino and make it clear he was saying “Cork” and not “C**k”, while Holly Willoughby winced.
In November, Gino was accused by viewers of being “xenophobic” after claiming he doesn’t like the French.
He made the revelation about his dislike for the nation when he cooked up a chicken cordon bleu during a segment.
Despite the dish being considered French, Gino insisted it wasn’t before launching a tirade across the country.
He said: “Not that I have to explain myself, but that’s called pollo impanato, that’s stuffed chicken breast. Now the French call it blah blah blah, but it’s really pollo impanato.
“Besides, everyone knows that I will never cook a French dish. I don’t like to cook the food of other nations.
“I’ll be honest with you, apart from my friend Fred Sirieix, I don’t like French people.”
Daughter: They also share the youngest daughter, nine-year-old Mia
Family: They’ve all featured on screen with him (pictured together on the ITV show)
He added: “They are too close to Italy and they always think everything they do is for the greatest. There is no need for French in the world.”
Gino has since admitted he almost got “cancelled” by fans but insisted he “don’t care” what people think.
He told The Sun: “There’s a fine line in television and I think I’m walking the line, I’ve walked that fine line for the last 10 to 15 years.”
Gino said he thinks he “gets away with” a lot more on TV than other people can because viewers have known him for around 15 years.
However, he insisted he never “crossed the line” with his jokes and said he would have been “fired” if he had.
He said: “But I can get away with the accent and because I’m Gino and everyone has known me for a long time, I can get away with a lot of things that someone else couldn’t get away with.”
Before making it big, however, Gino spent two years in prison after being convicted of breaking into the home of 1980s singer Paul Young.
He was a 21-year-old waiter when he stole the pop star’s £4,000 guitar collection, along with a prized platinum record.
Winner: He began his TV career in 2004 and became a household name, being crowned I’m A Celeb’s King of the Jungle in 2009
Saucy: He’s shocked viewers with a slew of colorful incidents and innuendos that don’t always lend themselves to daytime television – most recently his pronunciation of the word “cork” (pictured).
Paul previously said he forgave the celebrity chef but said he now has “mixed feelings” after his wife Stacey died of brain cancer in January 2018.
Young, 67, told The Mirror at the time: “When Stacey left there was certain music that I never got back.
‘Let’s say that – and that hurt me.’
Referring to the robbery, he added: “I’m trying to take it lightly. He’s getting enough stick on social networking – he doesn’t need my help that well.’
Gino was caught after his DNA tests were matched on cigarette butts he dropped at Paul and Stacey’s London home.
He was sentenced to two years in prison for the crime and has since expressed remorse for his actions.
Young, best known for hits like Wherever I Lay My Hat, has previously admitted to forgiving Gino after calling him to apologize in 2009, just before the chef’s triumphant performance on I’m A Celebrity.
‘I don’t blame him. He said it was bad and he apologized and I got most of the stuff back,” he told the Evening Standard in 2011.
‘Maybe he needed a slap and he got it. He said he was in a terrible place and wanted to change his life.’
A local newspaper report at the time of Gino’s trial reported how he was convicted of burglary and handling stolen goods.
The valuable guitars were reported to have been found in the back garden shed of his home, then in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
Devastated: Paul Young admits Gino’s burglary at his London home in the late 1990s robbed him of precious memories of his late wife Stacey (pictured together in 2014)
Among the items stolen were a platinum disc and a Mexican Candelas Bajo Sexto 12-string guitar.
Gino, then known by his real name Gennaro, broke into Young’s house on the eve of the singer’s tour of Belgium in August.
He was also convicted of stealing a VCR, a fax machine, a mountain bike, some cash and some jewelry from the singer’s home.
Speaking of the loss of one of the 12-string guitars during the trial, Paul said: “It’s of no use to anybody in England but me because nobody plays that style and they’re very hard to come by.”
He recounted how he found a stray cigarette butt on his master bedroom floor shortly after the burglary.
DNA tests linked the cigarette butt to Gino, and police found four guitars, a VCR and a platinum record.
He also stole a mountain bike – which he later sold to a local pawn shop.
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