TV Ellen sorry after staff groping claims

US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has apologised amid accusations of rampant sexual misconduct by producers on her show.

The former Oscars host, 62, told staff in a memo: “I’ve relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly, some didn’t. That will now change.”

She went on: “I told everyone in our first meeting that ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and for that, I am sorry.”

Her apology came after former employees alleged in a probe by Buzzfeed News that executives groped and kissed underlings and solicited one of them for oral sex.

One claimed: “Warner Brothers [the studio that runs the show] has a responsibility to make sure people are protected, that they’re not harassed and not working in a toxic environment.” Warner Bros, which launched an investigation, said: “Though not all allegations were corroborated, we are disappointed the primary findings indicated deficiencies related to day-to-day management. We are implementing measures.”

DeGeneres, who earn’s around £40million a year from the show, has herself come under fire.

Ex-staff described her as “unkind” and “cold”. Comedian Kevin T Porter tweeted she was “one of the meanest people alive”. This week a boss of Australia’s Today show said he was told not to look at or speak to her when she was on the programme.

Neil Breen said only her staff were allowed to interact with her and they “walked on eggshells”.

He said her team dictated everything – from seating to lighting, to how the interview would work.

A spokesman for DeGeneres said she would not respond to personal comments.