Mexican TV hosts fired after it emerges on-air sexual harassment was a hoax

The hosts of a Mexican television program have both been fired after it emerged that footage of one sexually harassing and inappropriately touching the other live on air was a set up designed to go viral.

The hosts of a Mexican television program have both been fired after it emerged that footage of one sexually harassing and inappropriately touching the other live on air was a set up designed to go viral.

A Toda Máquina! (On All Cylinders!) presenter Enrique Tovar was caught on camera touching the breast of co-host Tania Reza as he reached over to rearrange her necklace during a live segment.

During the same segment he could also be seen attempting to lift her skirt, before being pushed away.

“Don't be an idiot, Enrique,” Reza said, before storming off set, yelling "I can't work like this".

The incident sparked major outrage across Mexico and footage of the exchange soon went viral on social media.

But it has since emerged the whole thing was a prank concocted by the pair in the hope it would go viral, according to the Latin Times.

The show’s parent company Televisa Chihuaha announced a human resources investigation had determined the pair had staged the harassment.

“Televisa strongly condemns this act and any type of harassment,” the network announced in a statement.

“Both presenters have been separated from the company – at Televisa we take very seriously any form of inappropriate behaviour.”

While seeming to spread the blame equally, the television company has also urged Reza to come forward and report the incident if “what happened on the show differs from her original statement to Human Resources”.

Earlier Mexico’s National Council to Prevent Discrimination issued a statement confirming a complaint would be filed against Tovar, saying his alleged actions were in violation of federal law.

It is unknown if the investigation will now be rescinded.