ITV has been forced to issue an apology for comments made by Gloria Hunniford on Loose Women about Ched Evans, the footballer cleared of rape

ITV has been forced to issue an apology for comments made by Gloria Hunniford on Loose Women about Ched Evans, the footballer cleared of rape.

Broadcasting chiefs agreed to a legal statement being read out on the daytime show.

There were reports that the veteran presenter had threatened to quit the daytime show, but this was denied last night.

During Monday’s programme, Miss Hunniford, 76, gave a resume of the case – in which a jury returned a not guilty verdict at Cardiff Crown Court last week.

She said: ‘I just can’t comprehend all of that,’ before saying of Mr Evans that he was the ‘last person she would send her grandchildren to for sex education’.

A statement appeared on Mr Evans’ campaign website the next day, reading: ‘Ched has always acknowledged his behaviour was morally unacceptable but consensual.

‘Gloria Hunniford on Loose Women misrepresented the evidence presented at Cardiff Crown Court in this respect and his family are now considering their legal options. Opinion is acceptable but misinformation broadcast on primetime television is not.’

Three days later, broadcasting bosses appeared to have bowed to legal threats from the Evans camp.

Presenter Ruth Langsford yesterday read out a statement apologising to the Evans family after they complained and threatened legal action against ITV and the show.

She told viewers: ‘Following the programme, we received a complaint on behalf of Mr Evans regarding a comment made during the course of that item concerning the capacity of the individual to consent.

‘We are happy to reiterate that Mr Evans was acquitted after a jury unanimously found him not guilty, having carefully considered the issue of consent.’

Miss Hunniford is said to have made her feelings clear about the move ‘in no uncertain terms’, a source said.

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A statement on Evans' campaign website read: 'Ched has always acknowledged his behaviour was morally unacceptable but consensual. Gloria Hunniford on Loose Women misrepresented the evidence presented at Cardiff Crown Court in this respect and his family are now considering their legal options.' Pictured, Mr Evans and his fiancee Natasha Massey

Mr Evans’ website followed the apology with a statement which said: ‘Today we are pleased that Loose Women apologised to Ched Evans in respect of a statement made by Gloria Hunniford earlier this week which was inaccurate. We are pleased that this episode is now finalised.’

Asked if she had threatened to resign, a Loose Women spokesman said: ‘There is absolutely no truth in this whatsoever. Gloria is back with us on the panel next week.’

A spokesman for Miss Hunniford said: ‘There is absolutely no truth in this allegation of any resignation or any feeling of humiliation whatsoever.’