GINO D'Acampo's sudden exit from his ITV series has thrown the entire show into jeopardy amid fears it could face the axe.
The Italian Chef announced on Instagram earlier today he has walked off the set of Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip, which he stars in alongside Gordan Ramsay and First Dates's Fred Sirieix.
Gino frankly admitted that it was impossible to continue after three series due to a row over the contracts and schedules.
While the show has previously survived without one of its leading men – with Gordon missing one series road trip.
Now there are fears the show could be axed completely if they cannot make things work with Gino.
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A source told The Sun: “The show is really hanging in the balance as this has left everything up in the air. It’s now down to ITV to work out if it can continue with just Gordon and Fred, or if it’s better to scrap the whole show.”
ITV has declined to comment further.
Gino has already completed filming on at least one more series of Road Trip, with the episodes set to air later this year.
In his statement announcing his exit from the show, Gino affirmed his friendship with his co-stars, but insisted it was behind-the-scenes issues that prompted him to stop.
He told his followers: “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.
"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.
"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."
The This Morning regular continued: "So I have decided not to do it anymore because I want to be friends with the boys for many, many years ahead."
