Leslie sacked from This Morning show

TV presenter John Leslie has been sacked from ITV1’s This Morning programme, Granada announced today.

The company said it had terminated his contract after he failed to respond to recent allegations about his private life.

In a statement Granada said: "We have given John Leslie every opportunity to give his response to the allegations made against him.

"We have asked him what he intends doing to challenge them, and as yet we’ve had no response.

"As a result it is no longer possible for him to present This Morning.

"We have therefore formally terminated Granada’s contract with him today. ITV agrees with this course of action."

There had been increasing speculation about the presenter's future after allegations about his off-screen conduct.

He had been pictured seemingly using drugs in a Sunday newspaper at his home just days ago.

Leslie, a former boyfriend of actress Catherine Zeta Jones, was believed to earn a six-figure sum for his role on the daytime show.

He took over as one of the main presenters on This Morning after the departure of Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan when they jumped ship to Channel 4 last year.

Leslie becomes the second high profile presenter to have lost their job in matter of days as a result of their private lives.

Yesterday Angus Deayton was axed from Have I Got News For You because the BBC and the show’s makers Hat Trick Productions decided his position was "untenable" as he had now become the butt of the jokes by guests and panellists.