UNDER-fire TV chef Gino D’Acampo is set to start a new life Down Under.
The 48-year-old is launching “multiple work projects” in Australia — five months after ITV cut ties with with the former This Morning favourite, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour while making shows.
Gino D’Acampo is relaunching his brand in Australia amid his UK woes[/caption]
It was claimed the star was ‘inappropriate’ towards colleagues, which included sexist comments made towards Holly Willoughby in 2018[/caption]
The Italian cook is launching projects including two new restaurants and a culinary tech platform, 11,000 miles from his Hertfordshire mansion — now on the market for £4.2million.
Last night, Gino’s representative said: “He loves Australia a lot — the people, culture, cleanliness and environment.”
While Gino will keep a base in the UK, he will be spending increasing amounts of time Down Under over the next two years as he also sets up a new cookware range for the international market.
A source added: “Gino has had a fantastic career over here — and still has an incredibly loyal fanbase.
“But it’s been made clear to him that TV opportunities over here are few and far between in the wake of recent allegations, and that’s frustrating.
“While Gino has always denied any wrongdoing, he’s a pragmatist and knows it’s time for new adventures.
“He’s been inundated with offers Down Under following a really successful tour there.
“He spent some time in Australia a few years ago, and loved it. He still has a large social media following and plans to capitalise on that in the next stage of his career.”
The source said the star will be launching two new restaurants in Australia and will split his time between there and the UK for the next two years.
His wife of 22 years, Jessica, and their three children will remain in Britain.
The source added: “But if all goes well, Australia is a full-time option.”
Gino is understood to be looking at properties in Melbourne, which he visited during his 2019 Aussie Escapes tour.
He won ITV’s I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here in the Australian jungle in 2009.
The decision to sell-up comes after his restaurant empire racked up debts of £7.3million and went into administration before a buyer was found.
He’s been inundated with offers Down Under following a really successful tour there
A source
A source says he has bought a new house in the UK.
Last year, The Sun revealed Gino had been put on a language and behavioural course by concerned ITV bosses.
And earlier this year an ITV investigation found there were multiple claims of “unacceptable”, “distressing” and “horrendous” behaviour against him, dating back 12 years.
It was also claimed ITV ignored complaints over the star’s “inappropriate” treatment of colleagues, which included sexist comments made towards former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby in 2018.
He was also edged out of Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip after refusing to sign a morality clause.
Gino has firmly denied all the allegations against him.
The star’s cookware range prices were slashed following the misconduct allegations[/caption]
Gino won I’m A Celebrity in 2009[/caption]
