Inside the lifetime of Gino D’Acampo’s childhood sweetheart Jessica Stellina Morrison – amid claims the chef is being ‘eased out’ by ITV over string of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ claims
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Gino D’Acampo brushed off claims he is being ‘eased out’ by ITV this week after ‘inappropriate behaviour’ allegations arose.
The Italian chef, 48, has been accused of harassment by a woman who worked with him at ITV for five years and allegedly claimed: ‘He said and did whatever he wanted’.
But by his side amid the claims is his wife of 22 years and childhood sweetheart Jessica Stellina Morrison, his English-Italian first love who he met when he was just 19 years old – and even relocated to the UK for.
Gino and Jessica tied the knot in 2002 and met five years earlier while both working in Sylvester Stallone‘s Mambo King restaurant in Marbella, Gino as a chef and Jessica a waitress.
Known for his countless TV shows and appearances, Gino has made quite the name for himself as a go-to in the celebrity chef department.
And keeping everything in check at the home they share with their three children is Jessica, who Gino has previously described as his ‘lady of leisure’.
Gino D’Acampo brushed off claims he is being ‘eased out’ by ITV this week after ‘inappropriate behaviour’ allegations arose (Pictured with his wife Jessica in 2015)
But by his side amid the claims is his wife of 22 years and childhood sweetheart Jessica Stellina Morrison, his English-Italian first love who he met when he was just 19 years old – and even relocated to the UK for (Pictured on I’m A Celebrity in 2009)
It has been reported that Jessica is a stay at home mother, who runs their family home and takes care of their kids Luciano, 22, Rocco, 19, and Mia, 12.
And Gino has admitted that the pair have their own lives and often spend prolonged periods of time apart during their free time.
He said his time away from work is carefully balanced so he can be alone – something he claims helps strengthen his marriage.
Gino told heat: ‘I think it’s not only important to spend quality time with my family, but I also strongly believe in spending time alone. You discover new things about yourself and you have time to think, which is something that people don’t do often enough.
‘Everybody’s always so busy and alone time is super-important for my marriage.’
He added: ‘Jessica and I have been together for 31 years, we have three children, and we never have problems, because we have our own lives away from one another.’
He also explained to OK! Magazine: ‘You need to balance your married life with your ‘single life”.
‘I can be away for a month and I will talk to my wife once a week for about 20 minutes. Then, when I come back, we can talk about it all.’
Gino and Jessica tied the knot in 2002 and met five years earlier while both working in Sylvester Stallone ‘s Mambo King restaurant in Marbella, Gino as a chef and Jessica a waitress
Keeping everything in check at the home they share with their three children is Jessica, who Gino has previously described as his ‘lady of leisure’ (Pictured in 2015)
It has been reported that Jessica is a stay at home mother, who runs their family home and takes care of their kids Luciano, 22, Rocco, 19, and Mia, 12
And Gino has admitted that the pair have their own lives and often spend prolonged periods of time apart during their free time (pictured 2011)
The TV chef confessed he doesn’t understand what some of his friends talk to their wives about when they are chatting on the phone for over an hour as he chooses to keep his phone calls with Jessica short and sweet.
He also admitted he will go out for dinner and drinks with other women while he is on one of his solo holidays.
After meeting as teenagers, Jessica and Gino briefly split up for a year – but on rekindling the chef decided she was the only woman for him and they moved to the UK together.
The couple wed in 2002 after Gino’s release from prison after being jailed for burgling 80s singer Paul Young’s home in 1998.
During his prison stint the couple were also believed to have briefly split, before Gino turned over a new leaf upon his release.
He told What’s on TV: ‘[Prison] was a dreadful experience, but in life, I’ve learned to make good come out of everything. I thought, ‘This is not going to drag me down; this is going to make me a better man.’ So I came out of prison a man with a plan, determined to set up a business importing Italian ingredients.’
Gino surprised his wife back in 2021 as he announced they were renewing their wedding vows on their 20th anniversary.
He also admitted he will go out for dinner and drinks with other women while he is on one of his solo holidays
The couple wed in 2002 after Gino’s release from prison after being jailed for burgling 80s singer Paul Young’s home in 1998 (Paul pictured 2019)
During his prison stint the couple were also believed to have briefly split, before Gino turned over a new leaf upon his release
In an episode of his show Gino’s Italian Family Adventure, the TV chef took Jessica to Puglia on a romantic getaway before he cooked up a special meal for her.
Dressed in a white shirt and bow tie, Gino surprised Jessica with the news while they enjoyed dinner in the idyllic setting.
Jessica – who looked very glamorous in a sequin jumpsuit – was visibly shocked as Gino began to explain what was happening and said while pointing at a waitress: ‘So the Bella, she’s not really a waiter, she’s going to marry us again.’
‘Are you being serious?’ Jessica asked, before Gino added, while handing her a bouquet of flowers: ‘Yes, this is for you.’
Gino then opened a tablet to reveal their children on a video call, as Mia said: ‘Mummy you look beautiful, I wish I was there!’
Luciano then said of Jessica getting emotional: ‘Mum stop crying. It’s a happy day.’
Gino has been damned this week for inappropriate behaviour by an alleged victim when he was on This Morning and on Saturday Cooks between 2006 and 2011.
The TV chef is yet to comment on his future. But an insider has claimed that Gino sees himself as a ‘cheeky Italian chappy’ and there is no malice in his jokes or playful behaviour.
The allegations came amid reports that ITV plans to edge the chef out.
He was secretly ditched from Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip after refusing to sign a morality clause in his contract, The Sun reported.
A morality clause is a provision within a contract that requires an individual or party to adhere to certain behavioural standards.
The clause gives the other party the right to terminate the contract if the first party behaves in a way that negatively impacts the other party’s reputation or image.
The TV star has also reportedly been put on a language and behavioural course by concerned executives.
A source told the publication: ‘Whilst Gino is very well-liked by some, he has fallen out with many.
Gino was quietly dropped from foodie travel show Gordon, Gino and Fred, on which he appeared alongside Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix. Pictured: The trio in Galicia, Spain in 2023
‘He loves a party and, ultimately, refused to sign the morality clause in his contract which would keep him on the straight and narrow. This was the final straw and the decision was made to part ways.’
The insider added: ‘He was quite stroppy on the set of Emission Impossible and, following an accident on set, the crew were offered therapy because they found the resulting fall-out very hard.’
They claimed filming was stopped after the incident and Gino was placed on a training course.
The source alleged that Gino has a sporran – the pocket on a Scottish kilt – which he calls ‘Justin Beaver’ and regularly flashes.
A spokesperson for ITV told The Sun: ‘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.’
