Alan Yentob presents arts show Imagine

BBC chairman Michael Grade and director general Mark Thompson agreed it was a "management issue" and took "appropriate steps", the BBC said.

"Mr Thompson has asked the BBC's chief operating officer John Smith to examine these concerns and to report back to him," a BBC spokesman said.

Mr Yentob said: "I consider these stories to be malicious and unfounded."

He added: "I am more than happy to meet John Smith, the BBC's chief operating officer, to deal with any of the points that have been raised."

Mr Yentob, a former controller of BBC One and BBC Two, is currently the BBC's director of drama, entertainment and children's programmes. He also hosts its arts show Imagine.