Gayle King Addresses Oprah Clash, Lesbian Rumors

has revealed she clashed with her longtime best friend over persistent - admitting she once begged the media mogul to shut them down publicly on her own show.

The journalist, 71, made the candid confession during Wednesday’s episode of Call Her Daddy, where she addressed long-running gossip about her close bond with Winfrey.

For years, the powerhouse duo have been dogged by speculation questioning whether their relationship was purely platonic.

Asked by host Alex Cooper how she dealt with the relentless chatter, King didn't hold back.

‘It used to really bother me,’ King admitted, recalling how the gossip intensified after her 1993 divorce, when an outlet even suggested the split was linked to the rumors.

‘The National Enquirer did a story about that's the reason for the divorce, because they’re secretly gay,' she said. ‘Number one, if we were gay, we would tell you because, believe me, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just, I prefer a man.' 

The anchor reiterated once again that, as she and there would be no secrecy if the rumors were true, insisting, ‘We would tell you.’ 

But King admitted the speculation eventually became too much to ignore, prompting her to confront Winfrey directly and urge her to address it publicly.

But King admitted the speculation eventually became too much to ignore, prompting her to confront Winfrey directly and urge her to address it publicly