Former Desperate Housewives star Neal McDonough has been reportedly fired from a $1m starring role for refusing to film sex scenes.

The actor was replaced three days into shooting of the series Scoundrels for refusing to engage in passionate love scenes with is co-star Virginia Madsen.

Sources told Hollywood columnist Nikki Finke that the 44-year-old actor believed the scenes clashed with his Catholic views and reputation as a family man.