With his cookery expertise and love of a good innuendo, Gino D’Acampo would be a choux-in for ‘The Great British Bake Off’, but he’s now revealed why he’d never want a job on the show.
The ‘This Morning’ chef has admitted he doesn’t enjoy the competition element of the baking hit, which currently has a vacancy for a new judge and two new presenters.
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Gino D'Acampo doesn't fancy taking over from Mary Berry
Jon Enoch/PA Wire
Speaking to The Huffington Post UK, Gino claimed he doesn’t see himself as the next Mary Berry.
“To be honest, I’m not mad about constantly turning cookery into some kind of competition,” he said.
“It can become too stressful and cooking is something that should be enjoyed I think.”
And while we won’t be seeing him team up with Paul Hollywood any time soon, there is one of his contemporaries the Italian cook would like to share the screen with.
“Do you know what? I always have fun with the wonderful Ainsley Harriott,” he said. “He’s a terrific chef and very underrated, by the way, in my opinion.”
‘This Morning’ producers, if you’re reading this, that needs to happen.
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'Great British Bake Off' is in need of a new judge and presenters
BBC
Gino is currently appearing in a new series of films for the ITV daytime show, called ‘Gino At Your Service’, which sees him work alongside various service men and women, before serving them up a delicious meal.
“We tend to take for granted many services that help us - for example the police, the fire brigade, refuse disposal/bin men, and the ambulance service and we forget that these groups of people are actually doing an amazing job day in day out,” he said.
“So ‘This Morning’ and I thought it would be a great idea to spend some time with them at their workplace, and, of course, to thank them after a shift I’ll cook up a little something for them as well.”
‘This Morning’ airs weekdays at 10.30am on ITV, with ‘Gino At Your Service’ airing on Thursdays.
10 Possible Choices To Replace Mel And Sue On 'Great British Bake Off'
Jo Brand(01 of10)
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The obvious choice - Jo fits in well with the 'Bake Off' brand (IF YOU'LL PARDON THE PUN) having hosted spin-off show extra slice for the past three years.
She was also named the bookies' favourite, more or less as soon as Mel and Sue announced they were stepping down. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Davina McCall(02 of10)
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Channel 4 and Davina go way back, with 'Big Brother', 'The Million Pound Drop' and 'The Jump' all among the projects she's worked with on C4 in the past.
On Twitter, hers is the name we keep seeing crop up time and time again, either from people crying out for her to get the job, or pleading with Channel 4 not to give it to her. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Alan Carr(03 of10)
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Another of Channel 4's go-tos, Alan at the helm of 'Bake Off' would be a complete change in direction for the show, with his energy and buoyant enthusiasm contrasting heavily with Mel and Sue's more subdued and laidback approach to presenting. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Nadiya Hussain and Tamal Ray(04 of10)
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Reigning champ Nadiya has already forged a successful career as a TV personality for herself, and it didn't even take her a year after she won, so putting her in charge might seem like a natural progression.
In our opinion, it would be a bit too obvious, though, but we'd definitely be in favour of her forming a new double act with runner-up Tamal, with whom she got along like a house on fire in their days on 'GBBO'. (credit:BBC)
John Whaite(05 of10)
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That said, John Whaite has always held a special place in 'Bake Off' fans' hearts since his victory in the third season.
Like Nadiya, he too has managed to bag himself a career in TV, so we wouldn't be surprised if the offer fell at his feet either. (credit:Steve MeddleITVRexShutterstock)
Olly Murs and Caroline Flack(06 of10)
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'Ready... set... BAKE... no wait... erm... not yet, don't bake yet. OH WAIT. No, do bake. So yeah... bake. Sorry about that.' (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Julian Clary(07 of10)
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He might seem like a bit of a left-of-field choice for the gig, but when you think about it, he's a perfect fit for 'Bake Off'.
Julian is the undisputed king of innuendo, and his soft-spoken style lends itself perfectly to the 'Bake Off' tent.
He's also become a dab hand at light entertainment since his 'CBB' days, appearing on the panel of 'Your Face Sounds Familiar', as well as fronting 'Nature Nuts' and appearing on 'Give A Dog A Home'. (credit:Roberto Ricciuti via Getty Images)
Geri Horner(08 of10)
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Anyone who's been keeping an eye on Geri's Instagram page will know she's become a baking devotee since her winning stint on celebrity 'Bake Off', and this video of her interviewing Avril Lavigne proves she's certainly got a unique interviewing style.
Another star whose name has repeatedly been cropping up.
Emma must be so stressed out interviewing the stars of 'Celebrity Big Brother' twice a year that we'd be quite happy for her to land a presenting gig that's a bit more... calming. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby(10 of10)
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OH BUT DON'T YOU SEE? They aren't doing it. And they felt the need to tell us this in one the least funny celebrity 'pranks' in recent memory, at the height of 'Bake Off' mania. (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)