ITV executives are reportedly grappling with significant backstage unrest as they prepare to reinstate Nadia Sawalha on Loose Women.
The 61-year-old presenter has been absent from the daytime programme since late April amid controversy surrounding her YouTube channel.
According to reports, several colleagues have taken action and a 15-page dossier has been submitted to senior figures at the broadcaster, urging them to prevent Ms Sawalha's return to the panel.
The document allegedly accuses the long-serving panellist of "peddling in antisemitic conspiracy theories, tropes and rhetoric."
The dossier reportedly includes claims that Sawalha mocked antisemitism allegations
|ITV
It reportedly includes claims that Ms Sawalha mocked antisemitism allegations and promoted a false assertion that Israel had enacted legislation to "hang Muslims and Christians."
Sources have claimed that the situation has sparked what insiders describe as a "civil war" within the programme.
"There is so much bad blood. Nadia has many defenders on the show, but others have made it crystal clear they will flat-out refuse to work with her," one insider told The Sun.
At least one panellist has reportedly threatened to boycott Loose Women entirely should Ms Sawalha be permitted to rejoin the lineup.
The presenter has been part of the show since 1999
|ITV
Colleagues allegedly view her as unpredictable, with some expressing concern that appearing alongside her could damage their own professional standing.
ITV bosses are said to be "in a total panic" following receipt of the dossier.
The controversy has been compounded by allegations of preferential treatment from ITV management.
"Other stars have been hung out to dry or quietly iced out over relatively small misdemeanours, yet execs seem determined to defend Nadia," an insider claimed.
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This perceived disparity has reportedly generated considerable resentment among those working on the programme.
Staff members are said to feel that different rules apply to Ms Sawalha compared with her colleagues, with one source describing the atmosphere as increasingly bitter.
The timing presents additional challenges for the show, which saw its budget substantially cut last year alongside other ITV programmes.
There are now concerns that the ongoing controversy could prompt advertisers to withdraw their support. GB News has contacted ITV for comment.
The pair have come under fire for their comments during their Youtube videos
|Ms Sawalha first joined Loose Women in 1999, appearing regularly until 2002 before returning in 2013 to become a mainstay of the programme for the past 13 years.
She has denied being suspended from the show, stating on Instagram: "I have not been suspended from Loose Women, but thank you for your lovely messages."
Her absence has been linked to content posted on Coffee Moaning, the YouTube channel she runs with husband Mark Adderley.
Mr Adderley was suspended by the Green Party ahead of local elections over allegations he shared posts drawing comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany.
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