CELEBRITY chef Gino D'Acampo is to open a restaurant in Gloucester after falling in love with the city.

The TV personality and I'm a Celebrity... Get me Out of Here winner loved Gloucester Quays so much when he came to the food festival that he immediately started talks with the Gloucester Quays management.

And his restaurant would not be the only new arrival.

Other names set to be joining Gino are pan-asian noodle restaurant Wagamama, French-bistro chain Cafe Rouge and American diner TGI Friday.

It is understood he would open the establishment in the new multi-million quays development, which is scheduled to open in the autumn or winter of 2013.

A source close to the complex said: "Gino has been looking for months, if not years, for a suitable place to open his first restaurant.

"When he came to Gloucester he was overwhelmed with the city and had a meeting straight away to discuss the possibility of opening a restaurant. He loves the people and the area."

Crowds of people queued for hours during the July food festival to watch Gino's cooking demonstration.

Speaking to The Citizen at the time he said: "I think the people of Gloucester are really rock and roll.

"They were really up for it during my demonstration. They queued for ages to get their books signed and I absolutely loved it.

"They were very lively, and I like that, because a cookery demonstration is a time when I am closer to my fans."

Gino has been focussing his efforts of TV appearances and his food company Bonta Italia, but has been looking for somewhere to branch out into the restaurant market.

The news comes as the Quays announced plans to build a £60-million leisure development to include 11 restaurants and a 10-screen cinema.

Gino's spokesperson Jeremy Hicks said: "He had a good time at the food festival and it is an idea that he came up when he was down there.

"Who knows what may happen."

Leader of Gloucester City Council Paul James welcomed the news.

"I think it is very exciting and if it did come to fruition I think it would be a huge boost for the Gloucester Quays and the city to have such a big name come here," he said.

"It is something that would really help lift the city's evening economy and give us a real destination restaurant of our own."