An employee of ITV’s This Morning is apparently being probed for an inappropriate contact with a contestant from a spin-off show, sparking an internal investigation.

The daytime program has been under fire since the Phillip Schofield crisis in May, when the presenter left following allegations of a romance with a younger male staff member.

The most recent complaints concern an axed pilot that featured a holiday dating section shot in Barbados.

The accused is reported to have had a romantic relationship with a contestant on Laura Hamilton’s show. The alleged staff member reportedly resigned from the show as a result of the event.

According to a source who spoke to The Sun, executives were outraged when they learned about the affair, especially given the recent controversy on This Morning. “It meant that there was another investigation into what happened in Barbados that had to be carried out. It was disappointing to senior members of staff,” the person explained. “The producer promptly resigned.”

“We are unable to comment on the details of any specific employment-related matters. ITV sets out and upholds very clear policies with regards to raising concerns and work-related conduct amongst our people,” an ITV representative said. This event adds to the show’s difficulties, as Holly Willoughby departed last month.