Celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo has sparked outrage after posting a cooking video on Instagram that many followers have branded "disturbing" and "upsetting".
The 48-year-old Italian chef shared footage with his 2.2 million followers showing him kissing two live quails before cutting to images of the same birds dead and plucked.
The controversial video, posted on Saturday, begins with D'Acampo embracing and kissing the small birds.
Seconds later, he reappears, dangling the headless, featherless corpses whilst exclaiming "Let's go cook some quails!" with Bob Marley's Three Little Birds playing in the background.
Gino D'Acampo has come under fire for his latest social media post
The post has divided his fanbase, with numerous followers expressing disgust at what they perceived as insensitive treatment of the animals.
The video continues with D'Acampo demonstrating how to prepare the dish, cutting open the birds and washing them before covering them in garlic powder, salt, and chilli oil.
He captioned the post: "And that's how it's done!!!... Chargrilled Quails with zucchine and garlic vinaigrette. The perfect summer's dish... Ask your butcher for quails, try it and let me know." (sic)
The chef's decision to show the transition from living creatures to prepared meals has provoked strong reactions.
D'Acampo has lost social media followers over the 'disturbing' video
PA"Disturbing and upsetting. It's like showing a cute puppy and then showing it euthanized," one follower commented.
Another wrote: "I'm not a vegan, but this anthropocentric exhibitionism disgusts me." A third person told the star: "I just feel numb and thinking now about becoming a vegetarian tbh."
Several followers threatened to unfollow the chef over the video. "I hope you lose a s*** ton of followers because of this! It's exactly what I'm doing now! Big mistake Gino!" one user wrote.
Others expressed disappointment, with comments including "Jesus Christ Gino" and "That's cruel, you should show your cooking skills, what did you tried to achieve with this disturbing video?? Very very disappointed!!"
However, some defended D'Acampo's post. "The snowflake brigade will have a field day with this Gino, they'll be crying into their cotton wool balls. Also, Quail is delicious," one person remarked.
Another supporter wrote: "It's no different from cooking a live lobster or crab from the tank!! People are too sensitive." (sic)
The controversy comes as D'Acampo attempts to return to the spotlight following his removal from ITV programming in February.
The broadcaster dropped the former This Morning host after dozens of former staff and freelancers made allegations about his behaviour over a reported 12-year period, calling it "unacceptable," "distressing," and "horrendous".
Gino D'Acampo's shows were recently pulled from the ITV schedule as a result of allegations
ITVD'Acampo has "firmly denied" the accusations of inappropriate behaviour, including using sexualised and aggressive language.
In a statement to ITV News, he said: "I would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone. This is simply not in my nature. I do not recognise the version of events being put to me."
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