ABC news legend Barbara Walters has no plans to retire aged 83 - amid reports that TV chiefs plan to replace her with Maria Shriver.
The National Enquirer today claimed that ABC bosses are 'eyeing up' California's former First Lady to step into Barbara's shoes on the popular daytime show.
However, an ABC source told MailOnline they had 'never heard that rumour', with another insider insisting there was 'absolutely no truth' to the report.
The Enquirer reported that Barbara - who was forced off air due to chickenpox following a nasty fall - was 'furious' that ABC were already looking at her replacement.
But the magazine said Barbara - who is executive producer on The View, the show she created in 1997 - was 'as competitive as ever' and had no plans to give up her day job.
Maria, 57, resigned as an NBC news anchor when her estranged husband, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was elected governor of California in 2003.
However, after filing for divorce in 2011 after Schwarzenegger admitted to fathering a son with their maid, sources say Maria is 'itching' to get back to work.
According to the magazine, Barbara's daughter Jacqueline has been urging her hard-working mother to retire, even though the veteran journalist feels like she 'still has a lot of pep in her step.'
Barbara yesterday announced that she will be returning to her seat on The View on Monday - five weeks after she fell and suffered a concussion before catching the chicken pox.
'I'm back!' the host wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. 'Starting Monday I'm returning to @theviewtv. Ladies - thanks for keeping my seat warm!'
She also called into a live taping of the show on Tuesday.
'Like it or not, I'm coming back on the show again,' Barbara said. 'No more chicken pox. I haven't been contagious for a while, but they wanted me to have rest, and I've had enough rest and I'm ready to come back.'
Barbara was hospitalized after falling and cutting her head at a pre-inaugural party in Washington on January 19. She was later diagnosed with chicken pox, which typically affects children.
In an earlier telephone interview on the show, she complained that all she can do now is rest in her apartment and wait for Calamine lotion to calm the pox.
'After all these years all we have is Calamine lotion!' the host said.
'We have Facebook, we have Twitter and we have Calamine lotion!'
The journalist was released from the hospital on January 29 and continued her recovery at her Manhattan home.
'I watch you every day, I talk back to you, I complain to you, I join the Hot Topics, I do everything,' she said about how she is staying involved in the talk show during her illness.
Though chicken pox is common in young children, it can be serious in older people because of the possibility of complications like pneumonia.
Barbara explained during her call that she came into contact with someone who had Shingles, and as a result, she contracted the disease.
'I've been a little weak. I'm not in any pain. I'm not scratching,' she said.
Barbara was transferred to a New York hospital after falling and hitting her head at the home of the British ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott over the inauguration weekend.
She said: ''What happened was that I had a temperature and had the chicken pox and didn't know it and so when I was in Washington for the inauguration weekend, I fainted at the British embassy. If you're going to faint, it's a very elegant place to faint.'
She issued a statement that was read by her co-star Whoopi Goldberg on The View on January 22, and said: 'First and foremost, I want to thank all the people who have called, written and been concerned about me. I am most appreciative.
'I'm running a low grade fever and the doctors are keeping me in the hospital until my temperature is normal. I'm pleased to say that it is going in the right direction and I will be home soon.'
The journalist was in Washington to cover the second inauguration of President Barack Obama.
He fellow View co-star Joy Behar tweeted: 'Wishing @BarbaraJWalters a speedy recovery! Get well soon Barbara!'
At the time, ABC publicist Jeffrey Schneider added that Ms Walters is alert 'and telling everyone what to do,' which is 'a very positive sign.'
Barbara was TV news' first female superstar, making headlines in 1976 as a network anchor with an unprecedented $1million annual salary.
During more than three decades at ABC, and before that at NBC, her exclusive interviews with rulers, royalty and entertainers have brought her celebrity status.
In 1997, she created 'The View,' a live weekday talk show that became an unexpected hit.
Barbara had heart surgery in May 2010 but returned to active duty on 'The View' that September, declaring, 'I'm fine!'
Even in her ninth decade, the ever-active star continues to keep a busy schedule, including appearances on 'The View,' prime-time interviews and her annual special, '10 Most Fascinating People.'
The National Enquirer today claimed that ABC bosses are 'eyeing up' California's former First Lady to step into Barbara's shoes on the popular daytime show.
However, an ABC source told MailOnline they had 'never heard that rumour', with another insider insisting there was 'absolutely no truth' to the report.
The Enquirer reported that Barbara - who was forced off air due to chickenpox following a nasty fall - was 'furious' that ABC were already looking at her replacement.
But the magazine said Barbara - who is executive producer on The View, the show she created in 1997 - was 'as competitive as ever' and had no plans to give up her day job.
Maria, 57, resigned as an NBC news anchor when her estranged husband, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was elected governor of California in 2003.
However, after filing for divorce in 2011 after Schwarzenegger admitted to fathering a son with their maid, sources say Maria is 'itching' to get back to work.
According to the magazine, Barbara's daughter Jacqueline has been urging her hard-working mother to retire, even though the veteran journalist feels like she 'still has a lot of pep in her step.'
Barbara yesterday announced that she will be returning to her seat on The View on Monday - five weeks after she fell and suffered a concussion before catching the chicken pox.
'I'm back!' the host wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. 'Starting Monday I'm returning to @theviewtv. Ladies - thanks for keeping my seat warm!'
She also called into a live taping of the show on Tuesday.
'Like it or not, I'm coming back on the show again,' Barbara said. 'No more chicken pox. I haven't been contagious for a while, but they wanted me to have rest, and I've had enough rest and I'm ready to come back.'
Barbara was hospitalized after falling and cutting her head at a pre-inaugural party in Washington on January 19. She was later diagnosed with chicken pox, which typically affects children.
In an earlier telephone interview on the show, she complained that all she can do now is rest in her apartment and wait for Calamine lotion to calm the pox.
'After all these years all we have is Calamine lotion!' the host said.
'We have Facebook, we have Twitter and we have Calamine lotion!'
The journalist was released from the hospital on January 29 and continued her recovery at her Manhattan home.
'I watch you every day, I talk back to you, I complain to you, I join the Hot Topics, I do everything,' she said about how she is staying involved in the talk show during her illness.
Replacement: ABC sources have denied that Maria Shriver - seen yesterday in LA - is being lined up to take over from Barbara Walters on The View
Announcement: She took to Twitter to announce her return and called her fellow hosts on the show
Barbara explained during her call that she came into contact with someone who had Shingles, and as a result, she contracted the disease.
'I've been a little weak. I'm not in any pain. I'm not scratching,' she said.
Barbara was transferred to a New York hospital after falling and hitting her head at the home of the British ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott over the inauguration weekend.
She said: ''What happened was that I had a temperature and had the chicken pox and didn't know it and so when I was in Washington for the inauguration weekend, I fainted at the British embassy. If you're going to faint, it's a very elegant place to faint.'
Waiting to hear: Kris Jenner joined the co-hosts as they had a brief phone interview with Barbara Walters about her condition and how she will return to the show in a broadcast two weeks ago
Grimace: Whoopi Goldberg made a face while Walters explained that she contracted the virus by coming into contact with someone who has Shingles
'I'm running a low grade fever and the doctors are keeping me in the hospital until my temperature is normal. I'm pleased to say that it is going in the right direction and I will be home soon.'
Friends in high places: Barbara Walters interviews President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in the White House in 2011
Fine company: The Obamas visited 'The View' last September, talking with co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck
He fellow View co-star Joy Behar tweeted: 'Wishing @BarbaraJWalters a speedy recovery! Get well soon Barbara!'
At the time, ABC publicist Jeffrey Schneider added that Ms Walters is alert 'and telling everyone what to do,' which is 'a very positive sign.'
Preparation: The West Front of the U.S. Capitol is pictured on the eve of the second inauguration of U.S. President Obama in Washington
In 1997, she created 'The View,' a live weekday talk show that became an unexpected hit.
Barbara had heart surgery in May 2010 but returned to active duty on 'The View' that September, declaring, 'I'm fine!'
Even in her ninth decade, the ever-active star continues to keep a busy schedule, including appearances on 'The View,' prime-time interviews and her annual special, '10 Most Fascinating People.'
