Emmerdale has become embroiled in a new racism row, after a security guard working on the ITV soap was fired following a disciplinary panel hearing.
It's been reported that ex-soldier Duane Gardner, 49, had ranted about the Qu'ran and insulted a group of Chinese tourists.
Duane - who was contracted to work on the soap via an external company - was allegedly overheard making "offensive and racist" comments in the security office, according to The Sun.
After two colleagues filed a grievance against the former solider, Duane was sacked following a disciplinary panel hearing by his employer Minimal Risk Consultancy.
According to the publication, bosses could not prove the claims made in the grievance, but apparently referenced an onset car crash as a reason for Duane's dismissal.
As he was brought before the panel by security firm Minimal Risk Consultancy, who contracted him to the soap, Duane referenced a previous alleged race row involving Emmerdale actors.
Last year, a race probe was carried out by soap bosses, after stars Matthew Wolfenden and Isabel Hodgins were reportedly absent from filming after an alleged heated row.
According to reports, a mixed-race actress was left distressed after her accent was 'mimicked', with an alleged comment made behind the scenes on set at the time.
It was later claimed the ITV bosses accepted the explanation from the two actors, who play David Metcalfe and Victoria Sugden respectively, and the pair have since returned to the soap.
The pair had categorically denied all the allegations and any wrongdoing, suggesting that instead there has been a misunderstanding, according to sources.
According to The Sun, Duane has referred to the alleged incident after being dismissed from the soap.
He said: "I find it astonishing I was fired when that saga with the actors was brushed under the carpet.
"I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong."
The Mirror has approached ITV for comment, who said it was a personal matter between Duane and his employer Minimal Risk Consultancy.
Earlier this year, Matthew and Isabel returned to filming on the Yorkshire soap - after being away from the set since last September.
In January 2022, the pair reprised their on-screen roles, after the programme had shown their characters heading away for a few weeks after Meena tried to murder Victoria.
" ITV have conducted a rigorous enquiry into the allegations made, with witness statements taken. Bosses accepted Matthew and Isabel’s explanation and agreed they can return to work," a source told The Sun on Sunday at the time.
"However, it has been made very clear that racism and bullying will not be tolerated by ITV. They have also offered the subject of their alleged remarks guidance about how to deal with the pair’s return."
A spokesperson for Emmerdale added at the time: "While we would never comment on individual cases, Emmerdale has robust policies in place to deal with any allegations brought to our attention and take the appropriate steps."
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