Did TVNZ co-hosts' rivalry spill into broadcast?

Breakfast host Ali Pugh announced her pregnancy live on air, the same day presenter Nadine Chalmers-Ross announced her engagement.

A sarcastic comment by a TVNZ presenter during prime time news has hinted at a professional rivalry between two co-hosts.

Breakfast

host Alison Pugh confirmed she was five months pregnant during yesterday's live broadcast, a reveal timed to coincide with a

Woman's Day

cover story.

TVNZ presenter Alison Pugh announced her pregnancy during yesterday's Breakfast broadcast.

But Breakfast newsreader Nadine Chalmers-Ross had some news of her own, confirming her engagement later in the day by flashing a ring as she filled in for Mike Hosking on Seven Sharp.

Her story is also revealed in this week's issue of New Idea - a rival to Woman's Day.

But it's a comment made during her live reveal that has tongues wagging about tension between Chalmers-Ross and Pugh.

It came when Chalmers-Ross was congratulated by Simon Dallow during the One News handover to Seven Sharp.

Chalmers-Ross rubbed her stomach and replied, "Don't look down - it's not that kind of big news" - a direct reference to pregnant Pugh's reveal. She then flashed her engagement ring to Pippa Wetzell.

Nadine Chalmers-Ross shows off her engagement ring to Seven Sharp co-host Pippa Wetzell. Photo/TVNZ.co.nz

Last year, both Pugh and Chalmers-Ross auditioned for the Breakfast co-host role, which was eventually given to Pugh.

Chalmers-Ross is now rumoured to be in line to fill in for Pugh while she's on maternity leave.

In New Idea, Chalmers-Ross says she had to suffer through several fake proposals from her boyfriend Dan Higgins before she got a real one.

She tells NI Higgins, a film and TV producer, had fake-proposed to her several times.

"We have lots of fun, and he would wind me up about it ... Everyone says it must be awful but I found it funny."

Nadine Chalmers-Ross and her fiance Dan Higgins. Photo/Norrie Montgomery

He once mock-proposed on an escalator at Sky City, another time on the couch in front of the TV.

"He said, 'Angel, we've been together for a while now, and you know how I feel about you. Will you ... make me a cup of tea?'"

Thankfully, Higgins went big for the real proposal, hanging fairy lights around their deck, arranging flowers and lighting candles.

Phew! Dan is very relieved... And waiting for the questions about a wedding date to start!! https://t.co/x8ZUmru2TD

— Nadine Higgins (@NewsNadine) June 8, 2015

• Read the full story in this week's edition of New Idea.