Asia Argento axed as X Factor Italy judge

Asia Argento has reportedly been fired as a judge on X Factor Italy in the wake of allegations that she sexually abused a former child actor with whom she once starred in a film.

Variety reports that Sky Italia and FremantleMedia Italia, who broadcast and produce the show, have decided to remove Argento from the live portion of the talent show, in spite of the fact that the already filmed audition episodes, in which Argento is present, will air when the new series starts on September 6.

Neither the show's broadcaster nor producer have released an official statement yet. However, there has been public criticism of Argento's position within the show and cries for her to be fired in Italy.

Court documents seen last weekend show former child star Jimmy Bennett accusing Argento of abuse in 2013, when he was 17, in California – where the legal age of consent is 18.  Although Argento initially furiously denied the allegations, saying she "never had any sexual relationship" with Bennett, she later admitted to having sex with him in text messages published by US entertainment website TMZ. "I had sex with him, it felt weird. I didn't know he was a minor until the shakedown letter," the text messages reportedly read. "The public know nothing, only what the NYT wrote. The shakedown letter. The horny kid jumped me."

Argento has also admitted that a $380,000 settlement was made to Bennett, which she said was paid by her former boyfriend, the late Anthony Bourdain.

Argento was one of the first women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault last year, sparking a global #MeToo movement in the process. She has backed out of her role organising a performance on "Future Feminism" at an upcoming Dutch music festival.

Variety reports that the Sky Italia was in a difficult position as to remove Argento from the entire series would mean casting this year's X Factor Italy from scratch – abandoning the 40,000 selected to compete for one of 12 final slots on the show in the process.

Instead, Argento is expected to be replaced as a judge by her ex-husband, Italian pop star Morgan, when the live section of the show begins on October 25.

In the text messages revealed by TMZ, Argento reportedly wrote: "If I lose my job I will move to Africa or the Amazon forest."