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A member of the X Factor's production team, a consultant on the show, has been fired from his job over his links with the leaking of Tulisa's sex tape.

Chris Herbert, who was due to act as a consultant in the next series of the Saturday night show lost his job after it emerged that Tulisa was taking legal action against him.

According to court documents, Tulisa claims that Herbert was "aware of, involved in and consulted (about)" the leaking of the sex tape, which was put online by ex-boyfriend Justin Edwards.

Tulisa's lawyer added that Herbert had "played a pivotal role in commercial exploitation of the film".

A spokesperson for The X Factor confirmed Herbert's departure, stating: "As a result of us becoming aware of the ongoing legal dispute between Tulisa and Mr Herbert, we have decided it is in everyone's interest for him to not be involved in the forthcoming series."

Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Tulisa had angered her fans after cancelling a live date just days after being seen partying in Ibiza.

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