Emmerdale has reportedly been hit with a race probe following claims an actress' accent was "mimicked" by co-stars on set.
It comes as Matthew Wolfenden and Isabel Hodgins continue to be absent from filming following a "heated" row behind the scenes.
An ITV spokesperson told The Mirror: "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."
Matthew and Isabel, who have played David Metcalfe and Victoria Sugden since 2006, are facing claims that a female mixed-race actress' accent was mimicked, The Sun have reported.
The pair have categorically denied all the allegations and any wrongdoing, suggesting that instead there has been a misunderstanding, the paper has reported.
It is also claimed that following the incident, Matthew rowed with co-star Aaron Anthony (Ellis Chapman).
While neither stars have filmed scenes for Emmerdale since September, Matthew and Isabel have not been formally suspended by ITV bosses.
A source told the publication: "It is common knowledge on set that Matthew and Isabel are not filming at the moment following a complaint.
“This all came about after a conversation between them and another actress — during which the alleged remark was made.
“An accusation was also made that the actress’s accent had been mimicked.”
They added that Aaron reportedly brought the subject up later with Matthew and that there was a "tense" conversation between the actors.
The insider said that "emotions have been running high" on set since and that the female cast member who was involved is filming as normal and "wishes that she wasn't entangled in it".
They continued to explain that the "issue is far from solved" and that it is not clear when Matthew and Isabel will return to set.
“But they are two of Emmerdale’s biggest stars, so their sudden absence has caused production issues. In the aftermath of Super Soap Week — which saw Victoria survive love rival Meena’s attempt to kill her — bosses had planned to keep that storyline prominent," the source said.
They added that scripts involving David and Victoria and David had to be changed and their characters written out.
It comes after viewers were left confused when the characters suddenly disappeared last week, their absence explained as going to visit Diane.
An Emmerdale spokeswoman previously told the Mirror: “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. Neither actor has been suspended from Emmerdale.”
*Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7pm on ITV, with additional episodes at 8pm on Thursdays
