Gino D'Acampo has revealed all about his real reasons for leaving his ITV series Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip, after reports of a "falling out" between him and his co-stars.
The This Morning chef teased he could make a comeback to the series after all, just weeks after the news he had stepped down from the show.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Gino explained what really happened and what led to his departure of the show, while adding there could be a change that may see him return.
He also addressed rumours of a feud between him and his co-stars Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix.
It was reported at the time that contracts were to blame for his show exit, but that the news had "blindsided" his pals.
Now, Gino has explained what went on and insisted there was no falling out between the trio.
Explaining that the production was constantly being moved, Gino revealed he quit the show after he'd been told to keep May free for filming, only for it to be moved to the end of the year.
He said that he and Fred were both left in the same predicament as they suddenly had no work planned for May, having been told in January they'd be filming throughout this month.
He was then left "stressed" to learn the dates had changed again, and it was this upheaval and a contract he could not commit to that led to him stepping down.
Gino said: "I love the boys, we have a great friendship, that is not the problem. As I said in the video it's the contracts. Sometimes they get very overcomplicated and the main one was about the dates, trying to get the dates together.
"We tried and got the dates and then the dates got cancelled, then we started with other dates but they got cancelled again. Then I thought you know what? I can't do this anymore this has become too stressful I don't wanna do this."
On whether he had ruled out a return, he insisted: "No absolutely not, I never said that. This year or next year is not gonna happen but if the contract gets right, you know..."
It comes a month after reports suggested Gordon and Fred were stunned to find out Gino had left their popular TV series.
Fred revealed in an interview just ten days earlier that he had been chatting about work to Gino, days before he made the decision to quit.
And a source has reportedly claimed that Gino’s exit came as a shock to “everybody connected” to the show.
“As far as bosses were concerned, talks were ongoing and a settlement was in reach,” an insider told the Mail Online.
“Contract negotiations are always difficult because of the trio's schedules so the filming window where they can actually get the three of them together is pretty tight. But clearly Gino has lost patience and pulled out.”
The source added that the show’s bosses were hoping to convince the Italian chef to stay on with Gordon and Fred “because they genuinely have fun together and make great telly”.
Gino said at the time it was impossible for him to continue the ITV travel and food show, which saw the trio visit various countries including the USA, Greece and France.
The telly personality said that his friendships with his former colleagues had nothing to do with his quitting, and that his 'strong' bond with them meant more to him than arguments over contracts.
“Last week I decided not to film any more Gordon, Gino and Fred Road trips. The reason is very simple – nothing to do with Gordon or Fred, the friendship is very strong," he told his followers in a shock Instagram video post.
“It's just because we can't get the dates together and sometimes when we do get the dates together sometimes they get changed and it causes a lot of problems for me because I have other stuff that I have to do.
“Personal problems as well because when I have to change things with my family it is very complicated and also because contracts.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
