Studio Lambert, the production company behind Channel 4's Gogglebox, has reportedly received complaints from former employees about working conditions on the show.

A report in The Guardian alleges that "multiple" former staff members have come forward to claim that they were forced to endure "excessive working hours" while making the show.

One ex-employee is quoted as saying: "People have had enough. You don't turn up to work to be screamed at for 12 hours a day.

"It was the worst job I ever did. The way that it's made is inhumane at times."

The newspaper also claims that in order to avoid any potential disruption to production, several employees decided to remove the NHS's COVID-19 track and trace app from their phones.

A spokesperson for Studio Lambert told the newspaper: "Studio Lambert takes the welfare of its teams extremely seriously across all its productions, and has a number of measures in place to encourage people to come forward with any concerns they may have, as well as support systems for a range of issues.

"We have procedures in place to look into and take appropriate action whenever we receive a complaint from staff."

Channel 4 added: "Channel 4 has a clear code of conduct which sets out the standards of behaviour it expects from its suppliers and production partners.

"We can't comment on anonymous allegations and rumours, but we are satisfied Studio Lambert is taking appropriate action to ensure the welfare of its teams and to enforce appropriate standards of behaviour across the shows it makes for us."

The new series of Gogglebox is expected to start on Channel 4 early next month.