John Barrowman has firmly defended Gino D’Acampo and slammed ITV for “sexualising” his character as the TV chef faces “over 40” allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour spanning 12 years.
The allegations first surfaced last week after ITV News claimed they had been investigating the TV chef – with This Morning staff allegedly raising concerns over him a decade ago.
It has since been reported that ITV is facing “increasing pressure” to explain D’Acampo’s actions and why further action wasn’t taken against him at the time – according to The Sun.
D’Acampo has firmly denied all allegations that have been put forward and said in a statement via his legal team: “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," he said, adding that the suggestion that he acted in an improper way was "deeply upsetting".
Now, Barrowman has come to the defence of D’Acampo and claimed that ITV has had no issues “sexualising” the star over the years.
John Barrowman has faced his own inappropriate behaviour allegations
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The Doctor Who star has struggled to get work in the industry after allegations of sexual harassment dating back to as early as 2008 surfaced.
Speaking about his “false allegations” and inability to get any more in the industry, he told The Mirror: “No, you won't see me.
“Nothing lies ahead for me because of all the c**p that was said about me, which is not true. It's the same with Gino D'Acampo at the moment.
“Which is unfortunate because they're the ones who - the TV shows, and I use this as an example - like the one where he's on the TV show and he's standing there cooking in an apron but he's naked.
The star has firmly denied the claims made against him
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“Now he didn't decide to do that. Production asked him to do it. So,they'resexualising him in the same way as when I was on camera, and they would do something like, ‘You got to be naked. You've got to do this'.”
He went on to claim hypocritical producers encouraged this atmosphere of “having a laugh” and then claimed they were not on board with it later down the line.
His comments came quickly after former Coronation Street star Vicky Entwistle came to D'Acampo's defenceand slammed her former employers.
She said on X: "I don't know this man personally, therefore have no reason to stick my neck out in his defence.
“BUT!!! ITV played that man for all he was worth... cheeky, naughty, foreign, hilarious!!! It all fitted in 10 years ago... now with a new WOKE agenda they crucify him?!?!” (sic)
Despite their backing, D’Acampo has been slammed by many in the industry including Richard Osman who gave his view on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment.
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Former Coronation Street star Vicky Entwistle has also slammed her former bosses
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He said: “People do not lose their jobs because they said a couple of things a couple of times. It's a pattern of behaviour that has upset a number of people over a number of years.
“There has to be a whole series of things that happen it has to go on long enough and for it to be tiresome enough.”
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