This Morning’s Gino D’Acampo says he turned down tea with the Queen for this bizarre reason

Virgin Radio

28 Jul 2022, 09:10

Gino D’Acampo has admitted he once turned down an invite to tea with the Queen because of what was on offer. 

The telly chef confessed that main afternoon tea staple, cucumber sandwiches, are his "worst nightmare", and, coupled with not wanting to dress up, decided the royal invite was not for him. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Gino said: “I was invited to the Palace for tea just before Covid, but a cucumber sandwich is my worst nightmare. 

“I don't like tea either, so I phoned my agent and said: "I'd love to meet her, but I don't like tea and cucumber sandwiches, and I can't do either of those things. 

"I'm also going to have to wear a tie, and the last time I did that was when I got married. I can't do that. But if I can have a plate of pasta and a cup of coffee, I'm in."

It’s quite clear we won’t be seeing any cucumber sandwiches on Gino’s upcoming ITV food series, Cooking Up Love.

The new show, produced by Gordon Ramsay's company, will see single people battling it out in an Italian kitchen and cooking up a storm with the hope of finding true love under the watchful eye of Gino.

The new dating/cooking show is looking for singletons of any age who want to learn how to cook authentic, Italian food in Italy and hopefully find the perfect partner at the same time.

A source told The Sun: "For the last year British couples have been cooped up at home, which has led to a surge in hapless home cooking and domestic boredom. As a red-blooded Italian, Gino knows the sensual joys that only food can bring."

They continued: "As far as he is concerned, if a couple can click in the kitchen, then it’s a recipe for clicking in other rooms too. Gino is becoming a hot property in TV because he has a huge following, is great fun and has a genuine skill."