Melanie Sykes has entered the fray of allegations surrounding her former ITV co-host Gino D’Acampo, joining the chorus of voices demanding accountability and reform within the television industry. D’Acampo, known for his flamboyant cooking style and charm on shows like ITV's This Morning, has recently found himself at the center of scandal following reports by ITV News detailing numerous claims of "unacceptable," "distressing," and "horrendous" behavior spanning more than 12 years—allegations he vehemently denies.
Sykes, who co-presented the daytime series Let’s Do Lunch with Gino & Mel from 2011 to 2014, took to her YouTube channel to share her unease about the behind-the-scenes dynamics with D’Acampo. "I feel like I was in a war zone in this industry – 24 years of battling through it didn’t feel right to me anyway," she stated, shedding light on what she regards as systemic issues within television.
The former model did not mince words when reflecting on D’Acampo's seeming sense of entitlement. Sykes recounted, “I remembered once when Gino said to me he can just go up to the powers-that-be and knock on the door and go in, he doesn’t need a meeting. He was quite pleased with himself.” Such assertions highlight concerns over the power imbalances often witnessed behind the camera.
With rising scrutiny of D'Acampo, who faces allegations of inappropriate comments and aggressive behavior, Sykes emphasized the need for industry-wide reform. "If you’re spending all your time cleaning up people’s s, just clean the house, clean out the house and start again. That’s all I’m saying,” Sykes urged, calling for television executives to take meaningful action against misconduct.
Underneath the controversy is D’Acampo’s insistence on his innocence. Facing the allegations, he stated, “I have been repeatedly supported by executives at the highest level and was commissioned on prime-time programmes during the period it is now suggested I acted inappropriately. I take such matters extremely seriously,” asserting he would not engage in behavior intended to upset others. His statement reflects deep frustration over what he describes as character assassination.
The allegations are not limited to mere hearsay; numerous individuals have come forward detailing experiences they claim are part of his troubling pattern of behavior. One woman, identified only as Hannah to protect her identity, recounted chilling experiences from 2011, where D'Acampo allegedly made vulgar remarks, stating he would "like to turn me over and f me up the a** against the kitchen counter." She expressed feeling belittled and noted the atmosphere of shock among crew members who overheard the comment, adding, "I definitely saw it as some kind of power play. The very act of what he said was aggressive.”
The gravity of Hannah’s claim, coupled with Sykes’ accusations about the pervasive toxic culture within the industry, has ignited discussions about sexism and accountability among high-profile media figures.
Sykes also reflected on her own departure from television, rooted partly in past encounters with another controversial figure, Gregg Wallace, host of MasterChef. Her autobiography, Illuminated, released just last year, criticizes Wallace for his “unprofessional” remarks and behavior. She recounts how troubling comments during her tenure on Celebrity MasterChef made her “finally help me decide to end my television career once and for all.”
She accused Wallace of insensitivity, recalling how he asked her ungracious questions about models and body image, leading her to perceive the culture as hostile and fading. "I was done," Sykes concluded about her time with Wallace, reflecting the toll her experiences have taken over her long career.
Critics have often pointed fingers at the culture cultivated by networks, especially with shows like Celebrity Juice*, where D’Acampo was frequently featured. Sykes argued such platforms contribute to the development of toxic figures, stating flatly, “Celebrity Juice was an abomination, the industry creates monsters.” Her critique of the industry's failure to address such troubling behaviors highlights the broader systemic issues affected by unchecked power and entitlement.
With these allegations against D’Acampo echoing broader conversations surrounding accountability, it remains to be seen how the industry might evolve. Supporters are increasingly demanding not only accountability but reform to prevent the continued establishment of predatory figures.
While D’Acampo has proclaimed innocence, asserting repeatedly these allegations were never raised previously, the past experiences shared by Sykes and others pose serious questions about the culture within the British television industry. It's clear the conversation sparked by these revelations will be pivotal as industry leaders grapple with harder realities and necessary reforms.