ITV executives have banned Gabby Logan from taking part in Strictly Come Dancing.

The sports presenter had agreed to join the new series of the hit BBC show, but was forced to pull out at the last minute after her ITV bosses asked her to sign up for their own reality competition Dancing On Ice.

"She's been in floods of tears, apologising to the BBC for the late notice," a source told the Sunday Mirror. "ITV insisted she stars on their show even though she doesn't want to."

Producers had already spent tens of thousands of pounds on 20 sequinned ballgowns for Gabby's appearances on the show.

A BBC spokesman said: "It's a shame Gabby isn't able to take part, but we have a fantastic line-up of celebrities."