Phillip Schofield is reportedly supporting Gino D’Acampo after the TV chef was axed from ITV following misconduct claims.

The pair are thought to have remained close since they worked together on This Morning, with Gino regularly presenting the cooking segment on the show. Now Phil – who lost his TV career in 2023 after admitting an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague – is said to be helping his pal, who was ‘cancelled’ earlier this month after numerous women came forward to claim he had behaved badly towards them.

Gino, who firmly denies the allegations, has been accused of “distressing” and “sexually inappropriate” behaviour in an ITV News probe. More than 40 people are reported to have come forward to detail experiences described as “unacceptable,” “distressing” and “horrendous” while working with him over a period spanning more than 12 years.

One woman, who has been named as Hannah to protect her identity, alleged she was on the receiving end of vulgar comments from Gino in 2011. She claims the chef said he would “like to turn me over and f*** me up the a*** against the kitchen counter.” Another former colleague, who was a runner at the time, claimed Gino once told him: “If you don’t get me a Cornetto, I will f*** your girlfriend.” People are said to have been fearful of any consequences if they ever spoke out about their alleged encounters.

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Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

But with ITV pulling Gino’s shows, such as Family Fortunes and Gino’s Italy: Secrets of the South – and pals like Gordon Ramsay reportedly “throwing him under the bus” – it’s Phil who is said to have stepped up to be there for his former colleague. Gino and Phil’s wives, Stephanie and Jessica, are also said to be close, with Phil and Steph reportedly attending Jessica’s 50th birthday party at members’ club Soho House last month.

A source told the Mail on Sunday: “Phil and Gino always got on well. He was part of the This Morning family for a long time so Phil has kept in contact with him, and he is a very good listener. Phil knows what it’s like to go through losing his TV career, so he’s been a good support. As well as working together, their wives are close. Mental health is something Phil cares about deeply. He wants to help where he can.”

The source claimed that both men believed they were treated unfairly by ITV. Phil is said to maintain that if he’d had a straight affair with a younger woman, instead of a man, he would have been treated differently by the broadcaster. While Gino claims he was encouraged to act in a ‘laddy’ and ‘flirty way’ before he was axed by the channel this month. “You can just imagine what they would have to say about ITV during their chats,” the pal added. The Mirror has approached Phil’s reps for comment on this story.

Gino has firmly denied all allegations against him, saying he finds them “deeply upsetting”. In a statement he said: “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.”

The statement continued: “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.”