Ellen DeGeneres reportedly opened up to staff about her character during a video conference call yesterday.

The 62-year-old's long-running talkshow has been mired in controversy for the last few months after reports emerged of a "toxic" workplace atmosphere as well as more serious allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of senior producers.

An internal investigation by production company Warner Bros. saw three executive producers fired on Monday - news that was delivered to staff by DeGeneres herself.

While not being implicated in the issues of the day-to-day running of the show, DeGeneres has been subject of multiple allegations of poor treatment of her employees away from the cameras - including an accusation that sub-ordinates are instructed not to look her directly in the eyes.

"Ellen addressed [the stories]," a source who was on her video call told Us Weekly. "It really boosted morale. She opened up and was being real.

"[She] admitted to being multilayered and said she has good days and bad days. She said people on the call would know that she has not asked people not to look her in the eyes on set."

Describing herself as an "introvert", DeGeneres is said to have nevertheless actively encouraged staff not "to be afraid to address her and say hi" when they return to normality after the coronavirus crisis ends.

The new season of the talkshow is due to begin on Monday, September 14.