The This Morning duo were said to be worrying producers, as Alison, 48, and Dermot, 50, may have had to present apart, but the broadcaster has now blasted any rumours.
The claims came weeks after Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were reportedly ‘barely speaking’, after it emerged that their relationship had cooled behind the scenes.
Days later, Schofield, 61, quit This Morning and later sensationally resigned from all his ITV projects including hosting the British Soap Awards, after revealing he had an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a young male show runner.
In the meantime, while Holly took a break from the show, Alison and Dermot stepped in, while also being in the run to replace Schofield on the programme.
However, earlier today, a source said: ‘Alison and Dermot got off to a tricky start, they had very different levels of experience and came from totally different places but they then did start to rub along quite nicely.
The insider continued to Mail on Sunday: ‘Recently though things have become strained and it is worrying the bosses, they fear that this couple they put together which they had hoped would carry the show through the tough times it is enduring may have to present apart a bit more.’
They added that Alison and Holly’s relationship has also ‘cooled off a bit lately’ despite once being ‘as thick as thieves’.
ITV has since addressed the rumours, with a source telling Metro.co.uk: ‘This is absolute nonsense. There’s no tension between Alison and Dermot, quite the opposite.’
An ITV spokesperson added: ‘Alison, Dermot and Holly are all valued members of the This Morning family and all enjoy working together on the show, as well as having friendships outside of the show.’
This comes after claims ITV bosses were keen to ‘lock in’ Alison with a supposed deal that could land her a salary of £500,000.
A source had reportedly previously confirmed that ITV bosses were looking at game show projects and light entertainment options for the 48-year-old, who was announced this year as the new Great British Bake Off host.
An insider shared: ‘ITV bosses want to cut a new deal with Alison. They are seriously worried about Holly talking to the BBC and fear she could be next.
‘She is incredibly popular and is perceived as very honest – which is worth a lot following Phillip’s admission that he lied to everyone.’
They added to the Mirror: ‘They want to lock her in, and there has even been talk of a golden handcuffs deal solely for entertainment shows with ITV.’
The source suggested a deal like that could land her a salary of up to £500,000 per year, but insisted that there are ‘currently no plans in place for that’.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
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