An ITV This Morning employee reportedly had one inappropriate relationship with a spin-off show contestant, forcing the launch of an internal investigation.
The daytime show was already under scrutiny following the Phillip Schofield scandal in May, when the presenter was forced to resign from the show after his affair with a younger male staff member came to light.
The new claims relate to an abandoned pilot featuring a holiday dating segment filmed in Barbados.
The suspect allegedly had an affair with a contestant on the show, which was hosted by A Place in the Sun host Laura Hamilton.
Since the incident, the accused staff member is said to have left the show.
Claims: An individual in management of ITV’s This Morning allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a spin-off show contestant, forcing the launch of an internal investigation
Exciting times: The daytime show was already under scrutiny following the Phillip Schofield scandal in May, when the presenter was forced to resign from the show after his affair with a younger male staff member came to light (pictured with Holly Willoughby in May)
Speak with The sunsaid one source: ‘Bosses were furious when they discovered a producer was having an affair with the contestant, especially in light of this year’s This Morning scandal and controversy.
‘It meant that there had to be another investigation into what happened in Barbados.
‘It was a disappointment for senior employees. The producer promptly resigned.”
An ITV spokesperson said: ‘We are unable to comment on the details of specific employment-related matters. ITV sets out and enforces very clear policies regarding raising concerns and work-related behavior among our people.”
It’s been a tumultuous year for the show after Holly Willoughby also quit last month.
The presenter left the show last month ‘for the sake of her family’ after discovering she was the target of a foiled kidnap and murder plot and has not been permanently replaced since.
It came five months after Phillip Schofield’s departure after his affair with a young male showrunner was made public, followed by claims of an increasingly strained relationship with his co-host.
New claims: Accusing staff member allegedly had an affair with a contestant while filming for a villain pilot led by A Place in the Sun host Laura Hamilton (pictured) in Barbados
Who will fill Holly’s role? Since her departure, rumors have continued to circulate about who will replace the star, but ITV are yet to confirm who has taken on the sought-after role (pictured by presenters Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond)
He’s back: Rylan Clark has also enjoyed a stint back on the show alongside host Josie Gibson
Exciting: Cat Deeley has reportedly joined This Morning alongside their many other rotating presenters and will make her debut with Rylan on November 13
Since her departure, rumors have continued to circulate about who will replace the star, but ITV are yet to confirm who has taken on the much sought-after role.
The show is currently kept afloat by presenters Josie Gibson, Alison Hammond, Craig Doyle, Dermot O’Leary and Rochelle Humes.
However, Rylan Clark has also enjoyed a return to the show and will be joined by Cat Deeley from Monday.
A source told The Sun: ‘Cat is a seasoned professional and executives have been keen to sign her for some time. She takes live TV at ease and is really witty and personal with guests.
‘She’s comfortable interviewing pop stars and politicians alike, so if things go well she could be a much more permanent solution to Holly’s departure. Cat would be the safe captain to keep the ship steady.
“Rylan was also a runaway success, so fans can expect to see a lot more from him in the future.”