One Show drops Kohli over conduct

Singh Kohli is one of the BBC's rising stars

The One Show's Hardeep Singh Kohli has been dropped following a complaint of inappropriate behaviour from a female colleague, the BBC has confirmed.

Comedian and writer Kohli, 39, will take six months away from the BBC One show "to reflect on his behaviour".

The BBC said producers received an informal complaint from a production colleague several months ago.

Kohli has since "apologised unreservedly", saying he "overstepped the mark".

A BBC spokeswoman said the unnamed woman had "acknowledged that One Show management took the issue extremely seriously".

"He was reprimanded and immediately apologised. He agreed to take some time away from the show to reflect on his behaviour."

Kohli's ban applies only to The One Show and not other BBC programmes, the BBC said.

Glaswegian Kohli, who had a roving reporter role for the show, said in a statement: "Nobody has accused me of sexual harassment.

"I recognise I overstepped the mark and have apologised unreservedly."

It is the second scandal to hit the top-rated show. Earlier this year, reporter Carol Thatcher was sacked after using a racist term off-air.