Countdown's Anne Robinson reportedly turned off her co-star Rachel Riley's microphone on set after becoming irritated by the host's small talk.
It comes after it was reported last week that new host Anne, 77, is at loggerheads with maths whizz Rachel, 35, and lexicographer Susie Dent, 56, with an uncomfortable atmosphere' erupting since she took on the role.
Staff at Media City studios in Salford claim that off-camera, there's tension over Anne's 'rather grand ways', which have earned her the nickname 'Queen Anne'.
Shock: Anne Robinson reportedly turned off Rachel Riley's microphone before filming an episode of Countdown after becoming irritated by the host's small talk (Rachel Riley, Anne Robinson, Susie Dent L-R)
According to The Sun, Anne became fed up of listening to Rachel chatting to contestants ahead of going on air, turning up at the last minute and being on her phone too much.
Rachel then reportedly told crew that she 'completely disagreed' with being silenced after the the incident.
A source told the publication: 'It's safe to say there's no love lost. Anne is famously known for two things: her dislike of noise and time-keeping. She'll tolerate neither.
'Anne also has tinnitus and cannot bear excess sound. 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.
Awkward: It comes after it reported last week that new host Anne, 77, is at loggerheads with maths whizz Rachel , 35, and lexicographer Susie Dent, 56, with an uncomfortable atmosphere' erupting since she took on the role
'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 tension was palpable. Anne finds the whole thing hilarious.'
Representatives for Anne, Rachel and Channel 4 have been contacted for a comment.
The reported behind-the-scenes feud between the trio of leading ladies at Countdown has set tongues wagging among fans.
Tense: According to The Sun, Anne became fed up of listening to Rachel chatting to contestants ahead of going on air, turning up at the last minute and being on her phone too much
On Monday, fans flooded Twitter with speculation over the row, with social media users writing: 'Doesn't surprise me at all, with the stilted, awkward, toe-curlingness of the atmosphere... Not surprised there's a personality clash'.
Twitter users took a firm stance on news of the feud and also delighted in watching on as scenes played out in this
