Gino D'Acampo's hilariously awkward return to This Morning has left viewers speculating about what his aubergine comments really meant.
Outspoken chef Gino, a regular on the ITV daytime show, was back in the studio's kitchen on Tuesday after a break and couldn't resist a cheeky dig at the recent controversy surrounding former host Phillip Schofield.
But fans think he made another, less obvious, comment on the events which saw Phil quit after 21 years as presenter.
Italian cook Gino threw in a reference to aubergines as he tried to draw hosts Holly Willoughby and Dermot O'Leary into conversation about Phil's departure and it seems he has been following the story closely.
Beginning his cooking segment on the show, Gino had said: "Everything is under control. I'm back!" before asking if there's "any news from the last month" that he should be privy to.
"No. No news," smiled Holly, 42, as she and Dermot, 50, both stifled laughs.
Gino continued: "No news? Ok, so I can go straight into the cooking.
"Why is nobody talking anymore, what's happened?"
Dermot joked: "We need to rephrase, Gino is back for a one-time only…"
But the awkwardness didn't end there, as Gino made a more hidden comment on events when he said: "Apparently I can’t do anything with aubergine."
It might have gone under the radar during Tuesday's show, but viewers clocked what Gino was referring to and realised it was clear he knew exactly what the news from the last month was.
He appeared to be referencing an odd interview with This Morning boss Martin Frizell on Sky News where he was grilled about the show scandal and claims by former stars, including Eamonn Holmes and Dr Ranj Singh, that there was a toxic atmosphere behind the scenes at the programme.
Martin tried to deflect the question as he replied: "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."
Switched-on viewers picked up on the comment as one tweeted: "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 added: "Bet 'This Morning' wish they hadn't booked Gino today now. I was looking forward to baked aubergine as well."
Another viewer wrote: "Well done @Ginofantastico on the aubergine joke on @thismorning good on Gino wonder if Gino is cancelled now, @hollywills #dermotOLeary gritting her teeth, couldn't say anything as its not writing on auto queue couldn't even defend themselves."
Gino is set to return as Holly's co-host in September, which he announced during his Tuesday appearance.
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