It is the controversy that led Ellen DeGeneres to claim that she had been 'kicked out of showbusiness for being 'mean'' - but the comedian and former talk show host has never spoken in depth about the scandal that led to the end of her long-running show.
However, DeGeneres is set to explore the controversy in more detail in a new Netflix special that is due to air later this year.
The special will be the 66-year-old's second and final Netflix special and was announced in a social media post yesterday, alongside a short US stand-up tour that she is undertaking.
"To answer the questions everyone is asking me – Yes, I’m going to talk about it," she wrote. "Yes, this is my last special. Yes, Portia really is that pretty in real life."
Following a 2020 investigation by Buzzfeed News, DeGeneres was accused of overseeing a toxic workplace on 'The Ellen Show' that saw former staff members allege racism, sexual misconduct and intimidation.
Three producers were fired from the show and DeGeneres issued an on-air apology, saying: "I’m in a position of privilege and power and … I take responsibility for what happens at my show." However, the show never recovered from the controversy and ended in 2022, after 19 years.
The Netflix special will air later this year, with an exact date TBC.
