The Guardian newspaper reports that the Italian chef, who found fame in the UK working as a judge and later presenter of cookery and game shows on ITV, has “firmly denied” allegations in a statement made to ITV News, saying such acts were “simply not in my nature.”

Re-runs of old Gino D’Acampo shows have been pulled from the ITV schedule following allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against the TV chef. The 48-year-old Italian presenter has been accused of “dozens” of allegations of misconduct over more than a decades,