While Donald Trump's presidential campaign is definitely feeling the heat following the release of a 2005 tape of him talking about sexually harassing women, Billy Bush, the Hollywood Access host he was in conversation with at the time, is in a bit of a soup himself.

The anchor for NBC's Today show was suspended indefinitely after the Washington Post released the recording and a source told People magazine that "people are saying he can't recover".

More entertainment news

The individual told the celebrity news site that the leak was very intentional. "They could have released the tape and edited him out. That was the plan — they were trying to approve it and then someone leaked it. That's what Access Hollywood eventually did and they played it... but it was already out," the source said.

"If they wanted to protect him, they could have edited it out which they did on the final Access piece that aired on Friday, but they left it in when it was leaked."

Us Weekly quoted another source as saying that Bush was brought to tears following the release of the leaked tape. "Billy was devastated and crying when the leaked tape of him with Donald Trump in 2005 was first leaked to The Washington Post," the insider said. "He was crying that his career was over."

Following the release of the tape, Bush released a statement on 7 October in which he apologised for his involvement in the conversation which included Trump bragging that he could "grab them [women] by the p***y" because he was a celebrity.

Billy Bush
Billy Bush allegedly "cried" after the 2005 tape of Donald Trump was leaked Rachel Murray/Getty Images for imagine1day

"Obviously I'm embarrassed and ashamed. It's no excuse, but this happened eleven years ago – I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along. I'm very sorry," the TV show host said.

Carson Daly has now been brought in to replace Bush for the Daily show's 9am slot till NBC conducts its review.