Television presenter John Bundy has been pulled off the daily TVM breakfast show Bonġu following a dispute with the producers.

On Monday, the show host said he turned up for the daily recording but was asked to leave the studio because he had applied to host another morning programme.

On Friday, Dee Media TV, which produces Mr Bundy's daily breakfast show Bonġu aired on the state television station, approached him and told him they were aware he had applied to host another breakfast show in October, Mr Bundy said when contacted.

He confirmed his intentions to the Bonġu producers, pointing out that his contract expired in June and he intended to honour it.

He said he had previously informed Dee Media TV he would not extend his contract beyond summer so he did not feel he had done anything wrong by seeking another show.

However, on Sunday, he received an e-mail informing him not to turn up for filming on Monday morning. He replied saying he would be at the Sta Venera recording studios, as usual, as he intended to honour his contract.

When he showed up for work he was asked to leave because he had applied to work with the company's competitors, he said. He did not make an appearance at the studios yesterday.

Both shows were instead presented by Ray Calleja who hosts another daily programme, 1205, also produced by Dee Media TV.

While preferring not to reveal further details about the October programme he had applied for, Mr Bundy pointed out that there was no guarantee that PBS, the company that runs TVM, would choose to include it in the winter schedule.

"Let me clarify that this is something between me and Dee Media TV and there is no dispute between me and PBS," he said.

When contacted Dee Media TV said it preferred not to discuss internal decisions, adding it had "taken such action based on valid reasons at law".