Duchess in live talk show row

The Duchess of York objected to questions on 'The Windsors'

The Duchess of York has had a fiery row with presenter Richard Madeley on live UK television after being questioned on the Royal Family.

Sarah Ferguson was being interviewed on Channel 4's daytime Richard and Judy show when the talk turned to the royals.

Madeley launched into the subject with: "A couple of quick questions about The Windsors..." To which the duchess wearily replied: "I suppose you have to, don't you?"

When asked if she was still on speaking terms with the Duke of Edinburgh, she gave a curt "yes" and tried to move on.

Ex-husband

However, the presenter, who with his wife has recently signed a three year deal with Channel 4, persisted.

He fanned the flames by asking if there was any chance she would get back together with the Duke of York.

The TV couple recently signed another deal with Channel 4

The Duchess of York responded angrily: "I really thought I was going to come on to this show and you were really honestly going to take Sarah Ferguson as Sarah Ferguson - a single working mother with two girls.

"I'm very serious about what I do, ok? And don't make a mockery of it, all right?"

In reference to the sensitive topic of the royals, she told the presenter he had been warned "not to go there" before the show started.

'Affectionate'

Madeley replied that he had been told the exact opposite. "I was told you were happy to talk about anything by your people."

The unexpected row between the two was watched silently by Madeley's wife and co-presenter Judy Finnigan.

Madeley insisted to the duchess that his questioning had been purely "affectionate".

His wife added: "It was normal journalistic curiosity."