LORRAINE Kelly appeared to awkwardly snub would-be Prime Minister Esther McVey.

The Tory leadership candidate, who once co-presented GMTV with Eamonn Holmes was back on Good Morning Britain to speak about her bid to become leader and outline her policies.

But after chatting to Ms McVey, GMB hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid went to Lorraine to check what was coming up on her show next.

And that's when things got a little bit awkward, causing a wild debate on social media.

The Herald: Fans now believe that there is some "beef" between the 59-year-old Scottish presenter and the former Work and Pensions Secretary.

Ms Kelly, who in March won a first-tier tax tribunal on an argument that she's a "theatrical artist" who " acted every day as a version of herself " was asked by Susanna Reid: "Do you remember Esther McVey from her GMTV days?"

And Ms Kelly, who orginally hails from East Kilbride replied with pursed lips "Yup".

She quickly laughed and added: "Yes, I do."

READ MORE: Lorraine Kelly wins £1.2 million tax battle

Lorraine then swiftly moved on to tell viewers people what was coming up on the show, but Piers cut back and said: "So you got on with Esther then Lorraine?"

Ms Kelly shook her head and said: "I don't remember love, I don't remember at all, it was an awful long time ago."

The Herald:

And Piers replied: "Oooh if looks could kill I'd be six feet under. We'll leave it there.

Later the Conservative leadership hopeful was quizzed about her working relationship with Lorraine at a press conference.

She threw her head back and laughed before saying: "Well we used to share a dressing room and she used to do the programme afterwards and obviously she used to be partnered with Eamonn Holmes and then I was promoted to be partnered with Eamonn Holmes,” she explained.

The Herald:

“But she’s great and it was a great show. I can’t believe it. I think it was 20 years ago I did that show, but never mind. It was really good at the time. It was really good fun," she added.

Following the initial frosty exchange fans were left cringing and confused, while wanting to know what had happened between the pair.

Viewers flocked to social media immediately after the awkward snub, debating the potential history between the pair, and Ms Kelly began trending on Twitter.

One wrote on Twitter: "New found respect for Lorraine Kelly. Her ass is on fire this morning . Scottish through and through. You go girl."

One said: "You just know #lorraine has got something juicy on #EsterMcVey #gmb @piersmorgan we want answers."

The Herald:

Another said: "Hilarious now everyone loves Lorraine because she very obviously can’t Stand Mcvey."

Ms McVey was criticised last year for describing the so-called "rape clause" as an opportunity for victims to get help.

The minister in giving evidence to the social security committee at Holyrood said that sexual assault victims having to give Department for Work and Pensions staff details of their ordeal was offering "potentially double support".

A clause in the a child credit cap rules, which meant they were only available for up to two children, meant mothers who have a third child as a result of rape can be exempted - but would have to provide evidence to do so.

She was also unpopular amongst some as a hardline supporter of the hated bedroom tax and the imposition of the universal credit system.

Last April McVey also sparked a row at Holyrood when she headed north and defended the child tax credit cap in front of MSPs and welfare campaigners.

She also told MSPs that the “rape clause” could actually help victims.

Ms Kelly avoided a £1.2million tax bill in March after a judge claimed that she is a "theatrical artist" taking on the role of 'Lorraine Kelly.'

Judge Jennifer Dean ruled: "We did not accept that Ms Kelly simply appeared as herself; we were satisfied that Ms Kelly presents a persona of herself.

"We should make clear we do not doubt that Ms Kelly is an entertaining lady, but the point is that for the time Ms Kelly is contracted to perform live on air she is public 'Lorraine Kelly.'"

The judge went on to explain how Lorraine is required to "perform" when "she may not like the guest she interviews, she may not like the food she eats, she may not like the film she viewed but that is where the performance lies."