Mara admits to drinking

Johannesburg – M-Net has expressed disappointment with Mara Louw's "irresponsible behaviour".

Rumours of Idols judge Mara Louw being drunk on set surfaced on Monday following the Sunday night airing of the show.

Mara confirmed to radio station 702 and Cape Talk that she consumed an energy drink and vodka before filming last week's episode. The drink was consumed in addition to strong pain medication taken for her broken toe.

Mara explained that she was exhausted as a result of a heavy schedule and drank the energy drink with vodka to counteract her exhaustion. She then apologised to the nation and said that it was "not in her character to do such things".

While M-Net has acknowledged and accepted Mara's apology, Lani Lombard, M-Net's communications manager, confirmed that the company will not be taking any action against Mara.

M-Net's current course of action is to officially inform the Idols cast and crew that they will not, under any circumstances, tolerate behaviour on set that could tarnish the reputation of the production.

Lombard has also expressed regret that the focus of Idols has shifted away from the contestants.