Gino D'Acampo is said to have 'blindsided' ITV bosses with his very public announcement that he'd quit hit show Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip.
Gino and his co-stars have been pulling in millions of viewers for the travel and cookery series since 2018 but, on Sunday evening, former I'm A Celebrity winner and This Morning regular Gino posted a video on Instagram, in which he told fans that he'd decided to walk away to 'save' his friendship with Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix, after arguments over contracts.
Gino said his bond with his two co-stars was 'more important' than problematic negotiations, saying: "Because contracts start to become very complicated and very stressful, I personally value the friendship with Gordon and Fred so much that I would rather the friendship than arguments with the contract."
He ended the post: ""So I have decided not to do it anymore because I want to be friends with the boys for many, many years ahead."
Well now it's been reported that as well as Gino's exit coming as a shock to co-star Fred, who just a few weeks ago was talking about doing another series, the TV chef's decision to quit came as a surprise to ITV execs.
As reported by Mail Online, an insider claimed: "'As far as bosses were concerned, talks were ongoing and a settlement was in reach.
"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."
While not ruling out Gino changing his mind, the source added: "But clearly Gino has lost patience and pulled out."
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