Italian PM's former partner loses TV show over sexist comments

A former partner of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Andrea Giambruno, has been removed from a television talk show where he was once a presenter. This action came after Meloni ended their relationship due to sexist comments made by Giambruno towards female co-workers. Last week, Meloni announced the separation following the broadcast of off-air video excerpts from Giambruno’s show, which featured his use of foul language and inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague.

Audio excerpts from the show also revealed Giambruno discussing his extramarital affair and suggesting that his colleagues could work with him if they participated in group sex.

Mediaset, the media company that transmits both programmes, issued a statement on Tuesday, stating that Giambruno expresses regret for the embarrassment and discomfort caused by his actions. As a result, it was agreed between Giambruno and the company that he would no longer serve as the show’s presenter.

However, Giambruno will continue to be involved with the programme titled “Diario del giorno” (diary of the day) as a behind-the-scenes coordinator. Mediaset, a subsidiary of the MFE media group, stated that MFE is owned by the heirs of the late Silvio Berlusconi, a former Prime Minister and an ally of Meloni.

Reporting on this development is done by Gavin Jones, with editing carried out by Bernadette Baum.