ITV orders a review of Take Me Out contestant selection

Paddy McGuinness is the host of ITV1's Take Me Out

ITV bosses have ordered a review of how contestants are chosen for Take Me Out, after a former male escort with a criminal conviction appeared on the dating show.

Aaron Whiters did not tell producers about his old job as a £50-an-hour escort during auditions.

The 32-year-old, who is originally from Somerset, also pleaded guilty to an assault charge last year.

Take Me Out is broadcast on Saturday evenings on ITV1.

His profile on an online escort site described him as model, lifeguard and "semi-pro surfer".

Red Or Black

A spokesman for ITV said: "We are disappointed that this contestant's record was not picked up as part of the background checks carried out by talkbackThames, the producers of Take Me Out.

"We have asked talkbackThames to carry out an immediate review of their procedures on this show."

The production company, who also produce The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, say they will review procedures.

A spokeswoman for talkbackThames said: "During the application process we ask contestants to declare any convictions, and background checks are carried out on each individual, in line with industry practice.

"Aaron's criminal record did not come to light. We will be reviewing procedures going forward."

It's not the first time an ITV programme has been criticised over vetting contestants.

In 2011 it emerged that Nathan Hageman, who became the first winner of game show Red Or Black?, had served two-and-a-half years in prison for ABH (actual bodily harm) and ­aggravated burglary.

Three other contestants were later cut from the show after bosses found "inconsistencies" during background checks.