CBBC actor 'given warning before axe'

An actor on a children's TV show was told that his behaviour was "unacceptable" before being sacked, an employment tribunal has heard.

Isaac Blake, 28, was given the warning when he walked off the set following a row with another performer on CBBC's In The Night Garden.

Blake claims he was unfairly dismissed by Ragdoll Productions after complaining about a faulty animatronic suit and verbal abuse he allegedly received.

Marcus Difelice, representing Ragdoll Productions, said the actor had been fired because of concerns over his reliability. He claimed that there had been a "loss of confidence" in his behaviour after he walked off the set.

The Birmingham-based tribunal heard that Blake had been paid a £40,000 retainer to star as a Tombliboo in the show. He signed a contract to play the role from February 2005 to October 2006 at a rate of £500 per week.

Blake, from Cardiff, said he had struggled to find employment in the industry after being fired in 2005 and had spent eight months working in retail.

The tribunal was earlier told that he had been accused of making inappropriate remarks to Ragdoll staff, which he denies.

The panel is expected to make a judgement on the case this afternoon.