GMTV managing editor John Scammell has resigned following allegations he fell asleep at his desk, it has emerged.

He left on December 21 of his own accord but without working a notice period, a spokesman for the broadcaster confirmed.

On December 13 the Daily Mail claimed Scammell had been "banned from attending any company Christmas lunches after being found slumped over his desk". It reported he had fallen asleep after a business lunch.

At the time the paper quoted a source as saying: "People are just really fed up with him. The feeling is he has become a liability and an embarrassment."

The broadcaster has not given Scammell's reasons for leaving and said he was expected to have a break before finding another job in the media.