Countdown star Rachel Riley appears to have hinted at a feud with her co-star Anne Robinson just days before their row was exposed.
The presenter, 35, was reportedly frustrated at 77-year-old Anne's "diva demands" when she took over from former host Nick Hewer in June this year.
In a recent interview with OK! magazine, Rachel seemed to hint at their alleged fallout, saying "no one would describe Anne as cuddly" and added that they "get ready in separate rooms".
Rachel continued: "She found her feet very quickly and soon made the show her own. She's comfortable bantering with the contestants.
"She asks them a lot of questions and we get to hear from them a lot more. She's called out some comedians and you can tell they're up for a fight. They come in with their lines prepared.
"I don't think anyone would describe Anne as cuddly. She's very matter-of-fact. To be honest though, due to the pandemic we haven't been able to socialise like we normally would. We get ready for the show in separate rooms."
It comes after Anne reportedly "switched off" Rachel's microphone prior to filming.
Anne is said to be frequently locking horns with Rachel as the pair struggle to get along on set.
In the most recent incident, a source has said that Anne griped that Rachel was being "too loud" as she was chatting to contestants ahead of shooting.
She also reportedly complained about Rachel being on the phone too much and turning up to film at the last minute.
An insider told The Sun: "It’s safe to say there’s no love lost.”
Rachel was reported to have been furious over Anne's actions and told the rest of the crew that she "completely disagreed" with being silenced.
There has also been rumours of a "toxic feud" between Anne, Rachel and Dictionary Corner's Susie Dent.
A producer who previously worked with Anne also told the publication that the host is known for her "dislike of noise and time-keeping" and will "tolerate neither".
"Anne also has tinnitus and cannot bear excess sound," they said. "Rachel, with her big heels and even bigger personality, can be quite loud on set. Rachel used to chat to contestants before every show, and Anne found it hugely distracting.
“She felt she couldn’t do her job properly, or bond with the contestants to help them to relax, before the cameras started rolling."
The producer said that the "tension was palpable" but that "Anne finds the whole thing hilarious".
"There’s nothing like a bit of good-natured rivalry to get the juices flowing," they continued.
“Rachel is obviously a professional and never late for filming — she just cuts things more fine than perhaps stickler Anne would like."
Yet bosses at Channel 4 are delighted as the rivalry has proved to be "TV gold", with ratings being the highest since 2012.
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