ITV has been plunged into a harassment row over top telly chef Gino D’Acampo.
The Italian is accused of shocking and inappropriate behaviour towards a woman over five years.
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She lodged a complaint with ITV bosses last week.
The woman worked with Gino between 2006 and 2011 on flagship show This Morning, where he was resident chef, and on Saturday Cooks.
It is understood she decided to speak out amid a raft of allegations against the BBC’s MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace came to light.
Our revelation comes after The Sun told how Gino, 48, is being slowly sidelined by ITV amid a string of claims about inappropriate behaviour.
Read more on Gino D’Acampo
He has been edged out of Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip after refusing to sign a morality contract clause. Gino has also been put on a language and behavioural course by concerned executives.
He is accused of jokingly flashing, while crew members on Emission Impossible, his show with Fred Sirieix, were offered counselling.
A source close to the latest complainant said: “She worked [with Gino] for five years.
“She has come forward after being spurred on by the Gregg Wallace scandal and the comment he made about his accusers being middle-class women of a certain age.
“Her view is she is the middle-aged woman who believes young women shouldn’t have to put up with this kind of behaviour any more.
“Gino was younger and not as well-known then. He used to say he didn’t want to become famous as he would have to curtail his behaviour.
“He said and did whatever he wanted. Everyone was aware and she was subjected to shocking behaviour which she told ITV about last week.”
A spokesperson for ITV said: “We made our position clear following the outcome of our KC Review last year after which we said, ‘We are completely committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with respect and feels able to give of their best.
“Our promise to those we work with is that where a complaint is made, or serious concerns raised, we will always investigate and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action.
“We will continue to develop our efforts to give junior colleagues the confidence to speak up if they have something to raise.
“Following the review we reiterated our expectations and introduced Conduct and Standards Guidelines for On Screen Personalities which outlines our expectations in terms of behaviour, and have also previously offered training in language and behaviour, either directly or through our third party producers, where appropriate.”
Minister’s action on conduct
THE Culture Secretary is planning action to “get a grip” on star conduct at the BBC.
Lisa Nandy is said to be furious that, despite repeated scandals, the behaviour of male stars has not been “adequately addressed”.
She is due to meet the Creative Industries Standards Authority this week to discuss the issue.
Its chair Baroness Kennedy called for an “independent entity” to address complaints.
Government sources insisted Ms Nandy’s review will include all creative organisations, not just the BBC.