Lorraine Kelly appeared to awkwardly snub her former daytime TV colleague Esther McVey by masterfully refusing to answer whether or not she liked the ex-work and pensions secretary.

The MP for Tatton appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and was quizzed by presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on her Tory leadership run, before a camera cut to Kelly in a separate studio and Reid asked: “Do you remember Esther McVey from your GMTV days?”

“Yep. Yes I do,” replied Kelly, before quickly moving on to introduce her upcoming guests and schedule.

But it didn’t stop there as Morgan insisted: “So you got on with Esther, then, Lorraine?”

“I don’t remember love, I don’t remember at all,” Kelly diplomatically answered.

The tension was picked up by social media users who demanded the full story, sensing a beef between them.

“So WHATS the story here @EstherMcVey1 & @reallorraine sharing the most awkward of moments on @GMB you could have cut that atmosphere with a knife… come on @piersmorgan spill the beans,” wrote one Twitter user.

Before launching her political career, McVey was a businesswoman and TV presenter who hosted GMTV alongside Eamonn Holmes.

She is currently in the race to succeed Theresa May as prime minister.

The Brexiteer MP has caused controversy with comments championing the right of parents to take their children out of lessons on same-sex relationships.