Actress Asia Argento has been dropped by The X Factor in Italy amid allegations that she sexually abused a minor who had formerly played her son in a movie.

Over the past week, the claims made by Jimmy Bennett - a former child actor who played Argento's son in 'The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things' - have thrown the Italian actress's career into disarray. She admitted that she - or her former boyfriend, the late Anthony Bourdain - paid Bennett a sum of money, but denies that they had sex five years ago, when he was 17 and she was 37.

Now, her role as a judge on the live shows of 'The X Factor', which were due to start filming on September 6th, has been pulled although she will still appear on the seven episodes featuring the studio-recorded audition rounds, which have already been filmed.

The new series is set to air on September 6th and Italian press reports suggest that pop star Morgan - coincidentally, Argento's ex-husband - is likely to replace her on the live shows from October 25th.

Argento had previously released a statement denying any sexual involvement with Bennett, but has yet to comment on this latest development.