'Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip' bosses are hoping Gino D'Acampo will return to the show.
Gino D'Acampo revealed his decision over the weekend
The Italian chef left fans and producers shocked over the weekend when he announced he was quitting the popular ITV series over scheduling and contract issues, but the team are hoping his bond with co-stars Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix may be enough for a U-turn.
An insider to the Mail Online: "Bosses hope to convince Gino to stay on with Gordon and Fred, because they genuinely have fun together and make great telly."
It's said everyone involved was stunned by his social media announcement, which comes as bosses thought "talks were ongoing".
The source added: "Everybody connected with the show was shocked by Gino's post. As far as bosses were concerned, talks were ongoing and a settlement was in reach.
"Contract negotiations are always difficult because of the trio's schedules so the filming window where they can actually get the three of them together is pretty tight.
"But clearly Gino has lost patience and pulled out."
On Sunday (19.03.23), Gino revealed he had "decided not to film any more" road trips, but he insisted it was "nothing to do with Gordon or Fred", noting their "friendship is very strong".
He said in an Instagram video: "It's just because we can't get the dates together and sometimes when we do get the dates together sometimes they get changed and it causes a lot of problems for me because I have other stuff that I have to do.
"Personal problems as well because when I have to change things with my family it is very complicated and also because [of] contracts."
Gino - who has sons Luciano, 21 and Rocco, 18, and nine-year-old daughter Mia with wife Jessica Stellina Morrison - explained that he made the decision to preserve his friendships.
He continued: "Because contracts start to become very complicated and very stressful, I personally value the friendship with Gordon and Fred so much that I would rather the friendship than arguments with the contract.
"So I have decided not to do it anymore because I want to be friends with the boys for many, many years ahead."
Tagged in Gordon Ramsay Gino D'Acampo Fred Sirieix