Ellen DeGeneres will not be replaced for new season of show

Ellen DeGeneres will not be replaced for the forthcoming 18th season of her eponymous talk show, despite speculation that she was due to be replaced by James Corden after an investigation into allegations of a toxic environment on set.

Yesterday it emerged that a source at the series network said that Corden, of The Late Late Show, was the favorite to replace DeGeneres. Corden was apparently seen as her "long term successor", even prior to the bullying scandal.

"This issue has fast tracked everything and made everyone look at the future today," an insider told The Sun. "James Corden was being eyed for Ellen’s job in the long term before any of this came to light. Now this shocking new development places a spotlight on the next step."

However, it has now been confirmed that Ellen will return to the show, which will begin its 18th season next month. Telepictures announced the news, with a source telling NBC News that "no one is stepping in or taking over", despite the ongoing investigation into the show.

Per The Metro, staff returned to work remotely following the show's summer break. However, the crew has not yet returned to set, and are currently planning production around the Covid-19 pandemic safety guidelines.

Last month, DeGeneres sent an emotional plea to her employees promising changes to the series, which has been in production since 2013.

"On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ would be a place of happiness - no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect,” she wrote in an email to staff on Thursday (30th July).

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"Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others."

She added that she was glad her production team was "finally having conversations about fairness and justice".

The statement continued that while "not all of the allegations were corroborated", WarnerBros was "disappointed that the primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management".

Yesterday, DeGeneres' wife, Portia De Rossi, spoke out in support of the television host.

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Taking to Instagram to share an image that includes the message "I Stand By Ellen," De Rossi wrote, "To all our fans....we see you. Thank you for your support."