Fern Britton has addressed claims that her ex-husband and TV chef Phil Vickery is dating her best pal Lorraine Stanton after they were snapped smooching on a London street.
But the former This Morning presenter has taken to Twitter to saying: "Good morning all. Just to clear up any concerns re @TheSun front page. It is not true."
The snaps showed Phil, 61, and Lorraine kissing on the lips and the pair looked close as they were spotted together, but Fern appears to have denied the claims on social media, writes The Mirror.
It comes following reports Fern was left "heartbroken" and "dumbstruck" following the release of the photos.
A source told the Mail Online: "Phil and Lorraine kissing on the street like this will be heartbreaking for poor Fern. They look like teenagers in love and that will be just so hurtful for her.
"They are two of the most important people in her life and them behaving this way in public will feel like a betrayal."
Mirror has contacted Fern and Phil's representatives for comment.
Fern and Lorraine have been close pals for many years – with the former Ready Steady Cook star sharing several images of the pair together on social media over the years.
Just a few weeks before Fern announced her split from This Morning chef Phil, she enjoyed a girls trip with Lorraine and other pals to Lake Windermere.
Fern shared snaps of herself beaming alongside her pal on Twitter, captioning them: "@loristanton22 and me on board #Osprey #windermerelake #steammuseum."
Fern and Phil announced their decision to end their 20 year marriage in a joint statement in 2020.
The statement read: "After more than 20 happy years together, [we] have decided to go our separate ways. We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children.
"We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thank you for your continued kindness and support."
In July this year, the TV star admitted she wished she had persevered in her marriage to the chef.
She said: "This new chapter has come at the right time for me. I don’t want to be the poster girl for separation, though, because a lot of people go through the same thing.
"Often, the children leave home and you look at each other and go, 'Ah, where do we go from here?' I only wish I was the sort of person who could have persevered through that, but I couldn't."
Fern went on in the interview with Prima Magazine to urge others to consider their options if they find themselves in an unhappy relationship, adding: "If you find yourself in a situation where you’re at a crossroads, have courage. Look into yourself and ask, 'How do I feel?'
"If the answer is, 'Pretty depressed,' you don’t have to conform just because you think other people want you to. Do it for yourself."
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox sign up to our weekly Showbiz newsletter here.
