To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser thatsupports HTML5video

Gino D’Acampo didn’t care about any awkward moments as he brought up the elephant in the room in his first episode of This Morning since Phillip Schofield’s departure.

The Italian chef is a regular on the ITV daytime show, which until very recently was helmed by Phillip and Holly Willoughby.

However Phil sensationally quit This Morning, and later ITV as a whole, this month as he admitted to lying about an affair with a young runner on the show.

The fallout was swift and devastating, with Holly saying she had been lied to, and former guests and staff coming out to claim the atmosphere on set was ‘toxic’.

Holly returned to This Morning last week after taking some time off, and on Tuesday presented the show with Dermot O’Leary, when chef Gino made his first return after taking time off himself.

And, Gino being Gino, wasted no time in asking some very pointed questions.

‘I was in Italy for a month. I came back two days ago … any news? Anything from the last month that I should know?’

Dermot looked awkward as Holly chirped extremely happily, ‘No!’

As Gino pressed again, ‘Anything I should know?’ and Holly insisted there was ‘no news,’ Dermot had a The Office moment as he looked directly into the camera while awkwardly gnawing on a pen.

And in case things weren’t awkward enough, Gino picked up on this and asked loudly: ‘Why is Dermot not talking anymore?’

The fairly obvious dig at the fact Phillip was no longer on the sofa after more than 20 years presenting This Morning wasn’t all Gino poked fun of.

He opened the segment by describing the food he was about to prepare, and said he ha to change his recipe because ‘apparently I can’t do anything with aubergine,’ causing Dermot to visibly cringe.

It’s likely Gino was referring to a comment from This Morning boss Martin Frizell, who made headlines when he was asked if it was true it was ‘toxic’ on set, and responded: ‘Do you know what’s toxic, I’ve always found toxic, is aubergine.

‘Do you like aubergine?’ he asked the journalist. ‘Do you?’

Responding to Gino, Dermot joked that it was the chef’s first day back at the job, and also potentially his last.

The incredibly chaotic moment set social media alight, as viewers flocked to Twitter to share their reactions to Gino being a wildcard.

‘Gino never disappoints, causing Dermot and Holly to squirm a bit making light of the Phil saga,’ one viewer laughed.

‘Bet ‘This Morning’ wish they hadn’t booked Gino today now,’ another laughed. ‘I was looking forward to baked aubergine as well!’

Another said: ‘Gino doesn’t disappoint does he “I’ve been in Italy for a month, any news I need to know about?” [Cue] poor Holly looking awkward.’

Others labeled Gino ‘a legend’ for ‘addressing the elephant in the room finally’, with one saying he ‘KNEW Gino was going to bring the Schofield saga.’

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Source: Read Full Article