Gino D’Acampo makes seriously awkward Phillip Schofield comment on This Morning return

'Anything in the last month that I should know of?'

You're probably aware that over the last couple of months, This Morning has been at the centre of a storm following Phillip Schofield's resignation from ITV over an affair he had with a colleague on the show.

This was after reports that he had fallen out with co-host Willoughby, and when she eventually returned to the show it was with a pre-written statement which didn't seem to win many viewers over.

On Tuesday morning, another show regular, Gino D'Acampo returned og the show after a month away in Italy.

But, as is so often the case with the flamboyant chef, he couldn't resist making a probing comment.

Introducing the TV chef after an ad break, host Dermot O'Leary said: "It's been a while but Gino is finally allowed back in the This Morning kitchen."

The 46-year-old replied: "I was in Italy for a month and I can't wait to cook for all of you."

He opened the segment by saying he had to change his recipe because "apparently I can’t do anything with aubergine,"

This was almost certainly a nod to the bizarre comments made by This Morning boss Martin Frizell when he was asked about allegations of a toxic culture on the show.

This wasn't the only reference Gino made to the events of the last few weeks on the show.

So far, so good, but he continued: "Everything is under control, I'm back.

"Any news? Anything in the last month that I should know of?"

Funnily enough, it didn't seem like Holly found his hinting question particularly amusing, as she simply replied: "No news."

Meanwhile, Dermot looked at the camera whilst awkwardly biting his pen.

Gino then said: "No news, OK, good. So we can go straight into the cooking..."

He couldn't resist one final comment though, asking: "Why is Dermot not talking anymore, what's happened?"

Dermot then punctured the awkward air by joking: "We need to rephrase, Gino is back for a one-time only..."

The exchange didn't go unnoticed by viewers at home, who didn't seem to mind the unpredictability that Gino had brought on his return.

One wrote on Twitter: "Well Gino doesn’t disappoint does he 'I’ve been in Italy for a month, any news I need to know about?' Poor Holly looking awkward."

Another said: "Bet 'This Morning' wish they hadn't booked Gino today now. I was looking forward to baked aubergine as well!"

A third commented: "Studio fell silent when Gino said 'any news while I've been gone'."

Related links:

Gordon Ramsay finally has his say on Gino D’Acampo after he quits show

ITV ‘offers therapy to This Morning employees’ following Phillip Schofield scandal