By Jason Chester
Published: 04:46 EST, 8 June 2014 | Updated: 08:44 EST, 8 June 2014
Mario Falcone has been temporarily axed from The Only Way is Essex following the emergence of video footage of someone, believed to look like him, snorting cocaine during a night out with pals.
The cast and crew are currently in Spain filming scenes for the forthcoming twelfth series of the constructed reality show.
But tattooed Mario, last seen at a beach party in Ibiza on Thursday, has been ordered to stay away while his ITV bosses conduct an investigation.
Hot water: Mario Falcoe has been temporarily suspended from The Only Way Is Essex
A show spokesperson confirmed to MailOnline: 'Mario will not be taking part in filming in Marbella while this matter is looked into.'
The footage, obtained by The Sun, is said to have been secretly recorded following a night out in Essex.
A grainy still taken from the film and printed by the publication shows a man, believed to be the 26-year-old celebrity, hunched over a work surface while appearing to snort white powder through a rolled up bank note.
Popular: Tattooed Mario chats to TOWIE babe Chloe Sims - but his days on the show could be numbered following the emergence of footage purported to show him snorting cocaine
Sources reportedly present when the footage was secretly recorded two months ago believe the substance is cocaine – with one expressing surprise at seeing the TOWIE star take the Class A drug so openly.
Mario's drug allegations come shortly after his TOWIE bosses reprimanded cast-mate James Lock for being charged with possessing an illegal substance back in April.
Lock potentially faces the axe from the hugely popular show, and insiders claim a similar fate could await Mario once the matter has been investigated.
Incoming: Cast-mates Danielle Armstrong, Jessica Wright and Dan Osborne arrive in Marbella on Friday - but Mario has been told to stay away
Here they come: (L-R) TOWIE pals Charlie Sims, Tom Pearce and Dan Osborne step out for dinne at Mosaik restaurant in Marbella on Saturday evening
A show insider believes that if this is true: 'This could be the end of Mario's television career. He's become an important part of the show in the last three years but she show doesn't make exceptions for anyone when it comes to drugs. He should know that.'
The Essex boy was previously in hot water following a confrontation with a group of young boys after they reportedly made derogatory comments about his then fiancée, former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh.
Mario was cautioned by police after grabbing one of the youths, an 11-year-old boy, by the neck.
Party time: Mario Falcone lets his hair down in Ibiza on Thursday, shortly before his TOWIE cast-mates jetted out to Marbella to start filming the forthcoming twelfth series of the hit ITV2 show
Having returned to the UK on Friday, Mario spent Saturday evening at home watching England play a friendly against Honduras, bluntly telling his 21.5 thousand followers: 'Watching the football.'
The TV personality won broader recognition in 2013 courtesy of an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, where he rubbed shoulders with Carol McGiffin, 5ive singer Abz Love and eventual winner Charlotte Crosby.
After leaving the show he admitted to hoping it changed people's opinions of him – and hinted at an eventual departure from TOWIE.
'TOWIE have always liked to put the bad stuff out about me,' he said. 'I've learnt to deal with it but I find it hard that my family have to see the bad press when they know that's not the case.'
He added: 'I don't want to go back to being that person so I'm hoping they'll let me be me on camera otherwise we'll have to talk about my future on the show. We'll see.'
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