This Morning fans believe they've worked out meaning behind Gino D'Acampo's awkward Phillip Schofield comment

Much-loved chef Gino D'Acampo returned to ITV's This Morning on Tuesday (20 June), and it is fair to say a lot has happened since we last saw him on our TV screens.

When the Italian favourite last appeared, Phillip Schofield was still presenting alongside Holly Willoughby, with the former yet to detail his affair with a younger male colleague on the show.

And fans of the show will know Gino has no filter, so of course he was going to make some light out of the recent This Morning fiasco.

Dermot O'Leary introduced him, saying: "It's been a while but Gino is finally allowed back in the This Morning kitchen."

The chef responded: "I was in Italy for a month and I can't wait to cook for all of you."

He then left the room speechless when he added: "Everything is under control, I'm back.

ITV

"Any news? Anything in the last month that I should know of?"

The comments had Dermot biting his pen on the sofa while Holly laughed awkwardly.

Noticing how his remarks appeared to go down like a lead balloon, Gino asked: "Why is Dermot not talking anymore?"

Dermot joked: "We just need to rephrase, he's back for a one-time only..."

There was also one particular line from Gino that had fans talking, that being: "Apparently I can’t do anything with aubergine," as he spoke about what he was cooking on the show.

Apart from the obvious innuendo, This Morning fans believe they know the real meaning behind Gino's joke.

ITV

Many have come to the conclusion Gino's remarks reference an outburst from This Morning boss Martin Frizell earlier this month.

After being cornered when leaving his home by a Sky News reporter and repeatedly asked if there was a 'toxic' work environment on the show, Frizell bizarrely responded: "What I've always found toxic is aubergine. Do you like aubergine? Do you?

"Do you like aubergine? Because I don't like aubergine. It's just a personal thing."

Sky News

After fans calmed down from Gino's chaotic return, many took to social media to link the comments made by the chef and the boss of This Morning.

One person wrote on Twitter: "Remember the other week when This Morning's producer was asked about Phillip Schofield and strangely tried dodging by saying how he hates aubergines?

"Well, Gino D'Acampo finally fired back on the show, it's fair to say he won't be back for a second time. Hats off to him for this."

Well, we certainly wouldn't put it past Gino to have snuck in that little dig.