The celebrity chef has been married since 2002
TV chef Gino D’Acampo has hit headlines this week over numerous allegations of “inappropriate” behaviour – something the 48-year-old strongly denies. The celebrity is known for his roles on shows such as This Morning and Italian Escape over the years, and has more recently opened a string of Gino restaurants.
Gino has been accused of “unacceptable”, “distressing” and “horrendous” conduct while working on a variety of projects over a period of more than 12 years, but he has “firmly” rebuffed the “deeply upsetting” claims. The TV star’s lawyer responded in a statement: “This allegation from almost 15 years ago has never, until now via a media request for comment, been raised or put to Mr D’Acampo. 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”.
He said in a full statement: “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 recognise the version of events being put to me.
Gino and wife Jessica (
Image:
Karwai Tang/WireImage)
“Not only have these allegations never been raised with me before, I have been repeatedly supported by executives at the highest level and was commissioned on prime-time programmes during the period in which it is now suggested I was acting inappropriately.
“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 against is deeply upsetting.”
Amid the investigation, Gino shared a light-hearted video on Instagram featuring his wife Jessica Stellina, whom he has previously referred to as his “first love”. The couple, married for 22 years and parents to Luciano, 22, Rocco, 19, and Mia, 11, were seen enjoying a laugh with Gino’s co-star Fred Sirieix.
In the clip, Jessica mistakenly grabs Fred’s hand, prompting her to say: “I thought it was you,” which led Gino to caption the post with a humorous note: “When the Wife chooses the wrong foreigner! GDx.”
Despite their strong bond now, Gino and Jessica have weathered their share of storms, including a brief separation. They first crossed paths when Gino was just 18, working at Sylvester Stallone’s Mambo King restaurant in Marbella.
After parting ways, they found their way back to each other in 1995 and eventually tied the knot in 2002. In 1998, four years before they married, Gino was convicted of burgling singer Paul Young’s home and was sentenced to two years in prison.
It wasn’t public knowledge that Gino had a conviction until the chef appeared on I’m a Celebrity in 2009, which he went on to win. He took £4,000 worth of guitars as well as a platinum record, some cash and jewellery.
His DNA was matched to a cigarette butt dropped at the property which led to his arrest. During his time in prison Gino decided he wanted a fresh start when he was released.
He said: “I was a boy, so I decided to get married and then I will be a man.” Gino has described their marriage as a “traditional marriage”.
The chef said: “I clean her car every week. I charge her toothbrush every time the battery is low, and I always bring her a bottle of cold water just in case she’s thirsty at night. My wife is a clever woman, she knows when to say something and when to bite her tongue.”
Speaking to the Daily Star, Gino previously revealed the secret to their happy marriage is giving each other their own space. He said: “We allow each other to have our own lives, that means going on holiday with our friends.
“My wife goes for dinner with male friends and I go for dinner with female friends or business friends. We are very relaxed.”
