CELEBRITY chef Gina D’Acampo is well known for his cheeky antics.
But while the star has made a huge name for himself and a large fortune, it was not always plain sailing.
Gino D’Acampo has a net worth of $10 million
But his life hasn’t always been so straight forward
The 46-year-old may still have a wild streak in his behaviour, but it’s nothing compared to the misadventures of his youth.
Born in Naples, Gino moved to London when he was 19 to work in restaurants.
He started out as a waiter but was quickly tempted into committing a life-changing crime.
Gino stole £4,000 worth of guitars and a prized platinum disc in 1998 from singer Paul Young.
He was caught after his DNA was discovered on a cigarette butt outside the singer’s bedroom door.
D’Acampo, who was going by his original surname Gennaro at the time, was sentenced to a two-year prison term of which he served 10 months.
Since his release from prison and turning his life around, Gino revealed he was in a bad place at the time and even apologised to Paul over the phone in 2009.
He previously told What’s on TV: “It was a dreadful experience, but in life I’ve learned to make good come out of everything.
“I thought, ‘This is not going to drag me down, this is going to make me a better man. So I came out of prison a man with a plan, determined to set up a business importing Italian ingredients.
“People said, ‘You made a mistake – we all do, show me what you’re capable of and move on.’ I got the business up and running and then TV came calling and I was offered guest spots on Great Food Live, Saturday Cooks, This Morning… you name it.”
The celebrity chef saw himself bag his own spot on Great Food Live which was followed by stints on Channel 5’s The Terry & Gabby Show.
Gino then landed a recurring stint on Sky One’s Taste and went on to win I’m A Celeb in 2009.
His roles on the likes of ITV Family Fortunes, Road Trip and even regular stints in the This Morning kitchen have seen him win countless fans.
The chef lives in a Grade II listed seven-bedroom townhouse in Hertfordshire with his wife Jessica and also has a home in Sardinia.
He said in an interview with OK! previously: “I drive… I own a couple of Ferraris, like many Italians, as well as a Porsche, big jeep and Harley Davidson.
“I rarely drive, however, because I enjoy a drink. I employ a driver instead.”
Gino lives with his wife Jessica in a £.125 mansion in Hertfordshire
