At one point, Gino D’Acampo was everywhere—daytime TV slots, cheeky cooking segments, and packed restaurants bearing his name in cities across the UK.

But in just a matter of months, the celebrity chef has seen his glittering career unravel, both on screen and in business.

And now, behind the charm and famous Italian flair, a much messier story is coming to light.

£7.3 Million in Debt Before Collapse

Gino’s restaurant business, Upmarket Leisure, which operated five locations in London, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle, officially went into administration in May.

What wasn’t widely known until now is that the company had racked up an eye-watering £7.3 million in debt before the fall.

HMRC was even looking to shut the business down over unpaid tax.

A Last-Minute Deal Saves 400 Jobs

Thankfully, some relief came when accountants struck a deal to sell the company for around £5 million.

Two major creditors received £4.2 million in total from that deal, which allowed the restaurants to remain open and saved roughly 400 jobs in the process. But not everyone was so lucky.

Taxpayers and Suppliers Left Short-Changed

While some big players got paid, many others were left out in the cold.

That includes HMRC and several food and wine suppliers.

Wine merchant Boutinot is owed £302,000. Brake Brothers, a major food distributor, is down £460,000. Drinks supplier LWC Drinks lost £280,000.

Even smaller businesses took a hit—like La Tua Pasta (£4,800) and Boulangerie de Paris (£12,000).

Behind the Scenes: “It’s a Real Mess”

An insider familiar with the situation didn’t sugarcoat it: “It’s a real mess and nobody has come out of this well.”

They explained that Gino had hoped his business would bounce back, but the struggles in the hospitality industry, paired with personal controversies, created a perfect storm.

Controversy Sends TV Career Into Freefall

While the restaurant empire was collapsing, Gino’s television career also took a serious hit.

Multiple accusations of inappropriate and lewd behavior emerged, some dating back over 12 years.

ITV, which once featured him as a regular face, has since pulled reruns of his shows and distanced itself following internal investigations.

Allegations and Denials

Gino has firmly denied the claims, calling them “deeply upsetting.”

However, the ITV probe found troubling reports of “unacceptable,” “distressing,” and “horrendous” conduct on set.

Some of the accusations even involved remarks made toward longtime co-host Holly Willoughby.

According to insiders, ITV was aware of complaints but failed to act sooner.

Laying Low in Italy and Hertfordshire

Since the scandal broke, Gino has stepped back from public life.

He’s reportedly been spending time between Italy and Hertfordshire, avoiding the spotlight and regrouping.

Despite the setbacks, his wife Jessica has stood by him, and sources say he’s staying grounded, hoping for a quiet comeback.

Gino Still Believes in His Comeback

According to a source, Gino hasn’t given up on TV just yet.

“He knows his fanbase is still strong,” they shared. “He’s just biding his time.”

While there’s no clear indication of when or how he might return, Gino seems confident that his career isn’t over.

For Now, Silence and Damage Control

Until then, the celebrity chef is keeping a low profile.

Between the financial mess and career controversy, he’s got a lot on his plate—just not the kind he’s used to serving.