RTÉ's Afternoon Show presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh was treated in hospital last week amid reports of bullying complaints from fellow presenter, Sheana Keane.

The mother-of-four is said to be feeling the strain after media reports claimed she was the centre of an RTÉ probe into a complaint of bullying by co-presenter Keane.

The Sunday Tribune has learned that Ní Chofaigh (38) attended hospital on Wednesday night after feeling unwell. It is thought her condition could also be related to major invasive surgery she underwent in 2008 for a twisted bowel.

However, Ní Chofaigh felt she was well enough to go before the cameras on The Afternoon Show last Thursday with co-host Trevor Keegan.

Sources say Ní Chofaigh is holding up well and is keen to take issue with any allegations which may have been made.

Rumours of a rift between Ní Chofaigh and Keane surfaced last month after the latter disappeared from her job as co-host of The Afternoon Show.

The former presenter of RTÉ's Health Squad, Keane (33) dampened rumours by issuing a statement saying she was out of work for "personal reasons". It was also reported she was suffering from vertigo.

However, a worker at RTÉ recalled seeing Keane leaving the station in a distressed state last month. "She ran out crying," the source said.

"She seemed really upset. That was it – we haven't spoken to or seen her since. We are all of the opinion there was a row."

Insiders on The Afternoon Show have also spoken to the Sunday Tribune about other rows which have taken place on the set of the RTÉ programme.

Two seasons ago, it's claimed a producer walked off the programme within minutes of the show going on air. A freelance researcher was also said to have been dropped from the team following a disagreement where she was alleged to have queried an item on the programme.

This, claims a source, is the reason why other members of the programme's team have been unwilling to make complaints. "If you're freelance, you could be dropped tomorrow and there are a hundred people to take your place. It seems to be if you're freelance, you live on the seat of your pants, but if you are staff, you can do what you like.

"We can't say a word about it. This situation has been going on for a while and the only good thing is that now a complaint of bullying has been made, something might get done."

Ní Chofaigh is at the heart of the problem, claimed the source.

"In her favour, I would say she is an utter professional, but to have daily contact with her is extremely difficult. I would call it prima donna behaviour. She's extremely rude to just about everyone. She would find fault with her own toenails."

An RTÉ spokeswoman declined to comment this weekend on media reports of allegations of bullying on The Afternoon Show.

"We couldn't comment whether that was or wasn't the case. Personnel matters are something we never comment on. We have a strict policy." she said

She added that there has been no confirmation that The Afternoon Show would be returning for another season on RTÉ.

Ní Chofaigh did not respond to calls from the Sunday Tribune.