This Morning fans convinced of a 'deep meaning’ behind Gino's Schofield quip
Gino D'Acampo caused chaos on the This Morning set on Tuesday when he mocked Phillip Schofield's dramatic exit from the show, before claiming that he is set to become the permanent new presenter once September rolls around.
The Italian celebrity chef, 46, was back in the kitchen on Tuesday whipping up some delicious summer desserts and cocktails after an extended break away from the ITV programme.
Upon his return to the This Morning set, Gino made sure to reference all the drama he missed out on after Holly Willoughby's former co-host, Phillip, 61, dramatically resigned from the show amid rumours of an ongoing feud with Holly, 42.
Days later, Phillip resigned entirely from all his duties at ITV after his affair with a much younger male colleague at This Morning was exposed, leading the fallen presenter to be slammed by several celebrities including Eamonn Holmes, Kim Woodburn , and Katie Hopkins.
Gino had been away from the This Morning set for all the drama which consumed ITV in recent weeks, and as he joined Holly and Dermot O'Leary in studio on Tuesday, the Italian chef tied to make light of the situation - but he ended up making Holly and Dermot visibly squirm in their seats.
Corrie's Sue Cleaver says I'm A Celebrity stint helped her to push boundariesThe much-loved celebrity chef cheekily asked whether he had missed 'any news' over the past month upon his return.
When introducing himself and what delights he would be cooking up in the kitchen, Gino explained how he 'wasn't allowed to make anything with aubergines' before he quipped: "Everything is under control, I'm back. Anything in the news I should know?"
Dermot then looked at Holly and joked: "This is the last time we will ever see Gino on This Morning."
Before the show came to an end, Gino also hinted that he would be filling Phillip's shoes as a permanent presenter once September rolls around.
"See you all in September when I will be hosting," Gino quipped before Holly jokingly pushed him out of the camera view.
If that wasn't enough, he also made reference to not cooking with aubergines - a clear dig at the outburst from This Morning boss Martin Frizell earlier this month when he was quizzed about a ‘toxic’ work environment following Phillip Schofield’s bombshell departure.
At the time, he dodged the question on toxicity in the workplace by telling Sky News: "What I've always found toxic is aubergine. Do you like aubergine? Do you? Do you like aubergine, because I don't? It's just a personal thing.”
Gino's antics didn't go unnoticed by viewers at home who were loving the energy the celebrity chef brought to the show.
However, some have now become convinced that there was a deeper 'secret meaning' behind Gino's awkward Schofield joke.
"Gino bringing up the aubergines!!!!!! He is an actual hero," one viewer quipped.
Richard 'shuts up' GMB guest who says Hancock 'deserved' being called 'd***head'"Mr Gino didn't come to play. Not him calling out aubergines after the ITV boss said that on Sky News," another echoed.
"Remember the other week when This Morning' producer,was asked about Phillip Schofield and strangely tried dodging by saying how he hates aubergines? Well, Gino D'Acampo finally hired back on the show, it's fair to say he won't be back for a second time. Hat's off to him for this," someone else tweeted.
While another quipped: "Leave it to Gino to bring the Schofield drama back. LOOOOOOVE him."
This Morning airs on weekdays on ITV from 10am