Gino D’Acampo lands brands new ITV show after quitting Road Trip and cannabis row
JUST six weeks since quitting his Road Trip show with Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix, Gino D’Acampo is heading back to his native Italy.
But the celebrity chef is not going into hiding from old pals still miffed by his departure, instead he is filming a brand new solo travel series.
I can reveal Gino is uncovering Italy’s least explored regions, Puglia and Basilicata in the deep south.
A TV insider says: “It’s perfect timing for Gino. He can brush off recent controversies and get back to doing what he does best.
“Finding out about Italy’s hidden gems and bringing them to the British public is incredibly exciting for him.”
Gino shocked fans by announcing his exit from ITV’s Gordon, Gino And Fred: Road Trip last month via a video posted on Instagram, in which he claimed “contractual complications” sparked his decision.
The Sun later revealed that weeks earlier Gino had been caught with cannabis by Border Force officials when he flew back into the UK after filming the popular series in Spain — which left his co-stars “pretty cross”.
But he recently told how the trio’s show could STILL continue if they could find a gap in their schedules.
Meanwhile he hopes to put all that stress behind him with his new solo series for ITV, where he will explore romantic mountains, ancient cave cities, sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters — as well as knocking up some classic dishes.
Speaking about the show, Gino says: “Italians are proud of our history, but we also keep our secrets, especially when it comes to recipes.
“There is so much more to the country, and these regions, and I can’t wait to uncover some of those hidden gems and bring them to the viewers at home.”
Gino’s Italy: Secrets of The South will air later this year and run for six episodes.
I’m sure it will be fantastico.
Adrian’s taken a boxing
ADRIAN CHILES is one of the best TV hosts around but admits his career on the box has dived since his stint on flop ITV show Daybreak.
The Brummie co-presented it with Christine Lampard after their success on ITV’s The One Show.
But following their departure in 2011, his job offers in live TV have dried up.
Adrian, also an ITV footie host from 2010 till 2015, says: “Since 2014 I’ve had an ear-piece in three times.
“Not moaning, but in terms of live TV I haven’t been offered any-thing. It’s like I cooked my goose with Daybreak, as that had failed or I was seen as having failed. I was a bit holed over the water line then.”
But speaking on pocast The Mid Point, the now BBC Radio 5 Live host added: “I was more fulfilled doing what I was doing then, which was solo speech radio at the same time.”
Chin up, Adrian.
Mic drop
NETFLIX says the sixth run of cult series Black Mirror will start in June, featuring Aaron Paul, Kate Mara, Michael Cera and Salma Hayek Pinault.
Creator Charlie Brooker says he has “stretched the parameters of what a Black Mirror show even is”.
Sodden cheek of you, Rick
FORMER T4 host Rick Edwards has revealed he was late to an interview with Julia Roberts – and dripping wet from swimming.
Reflecting on fronting the Noughties’ teen show, he said he forgot he “was supposed to be working”.
He explains: “I’m in the pool and a person who worked for the film company said, ‘You’re supposed to be interviewing Julia Roberts now.
“I was like, ‘Eugghhhhh’. I don’t have a chance to dry off so I whack a shirt on, and I’ve got wet shorts and go jogging in.”
He told the Dish podcast the Hollywood A-lister exclaimed: “Oh, wet shorts.” He replied: “Yeah – I can’t really explain that. Sorry.”
Awkward.
Becks & Co talk tycoons
DAVID Beckham is again joining forces with his Three Lions teammates Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard – for a new documentary about the Premier League.
They feature as talking heads in Fever Pitch: The Battle For The Premier League, which explores how the English top-flight was changed by billionaire club owners bankrolling their teams to the top.
Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho also appear, reflecting on their time as managers.
The four-part series kicks off in 2003 when Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea, usurping Manchester United and Arsenal’s dominance.
It is all co-produced by Studio 99, the production company that Becks founded.
Football fans can watch from May 7, when the series debuts exclusively on Paramount+.
Lycett, camera, action
ACTOR Richard E. Grant and comic Katherine Ryan will appear in the final episode of funnyman Joe Lycett’s new Channel 4 chat show.
Comedian Rosie Jones will also feature among the mayhem. Late Night Lycett broadcasts on Friday at 10pm on Channel 4
Celeb BB may just be be be
THE BIG Brother reboot on ITV will be hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best – and a celeb version may follow.
The show’s official Twitter account teased the possibility after announcing the hosts.
A fan responded: “As long as we still get a Celebrity version, I’m all for it!” The ITV account replied with a side-eye emoji and the hint: “Only time will tell.”
Celebrity Big Brother produced some of the most iconic moments in reality TV history.
It grew bigger than the civilian series after moving from Channel 4 to Channel 5 in 2011.
The last series, in 2018, sparked controversy when Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallett falsely accused eventual winner, ex-Corrie actor Ryan Thomas, of punching her.