Before Billy Bush's Divorce, Dating Rumors Spark With 'Access Hollywood' Colleague

Former "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush was recently spotted holding hands with an ex-colleague, Tara Bernie, who worked with him on his old show, sparking rumors that the 46-year-old was ready to move on after separating from his wife a few months ago.

However, Bernie has rubbished the rumor and made it clear that she is not romantically involved with her former co-star. "We’re friends," she said, Page Six reported. "I was his producer for 15 years at 'Access.' We were all out to dinner ... his brother, his publicist. It’s a ridiculous story. He was walking me to get my Uber. He’s even on the phone with the driver. We’re friends and support one another."

A representative for Bush also denied the rumors regarding the two. "There’s nothing to that photo," said Bush’s rep. "He grabbed her hand and put her into an Uber. There were seven people there — including me — and the photographer followed us across town to dinner."

The representative further added the gesture showed by Bush toward his ex-colleague was nothing but chivalry.

The representative said Bush "was being respectful and getting her a car. Even my doorman does that!"

After more than 20 years of marriage, bush separated from his wife, Sydney Davis, in September this year. The couple got married in 1998 and have three kids together — Josie, Lillie and Mary Bradley.

Although his lawyers did not discuss the reason behind the split from Davis, a source close to Bush told Page Six that the infamous 'Access Hollywood' tape that depicted the host laughing along with President Donald Trump as the latter made demeaning jokes about women, left Davis rattled.

"They have been together for 20 years. Like all marriages, [there are] ups and downs, and it takes work" the source mentioned. "There is no specific reason ... just having been together for a long time and trying to work through a marriage ... nothing more, nothing less. She was so furious that she refused to speak with him for a while — and she’s still furious. They are having marriage problems. He didn’t apologize to her for the embarrassment he caused in his statement."

However, a representative for Bush at the time refused to confirm reports that the host was dumped by his spouse. "It is not true that Billy’s wife has left him," Bush’s representative said. "After almost 20 years of marriage, they have separated for the moment to evaluate their life together. They love each other and their children deeply and are committed to a bright future."

Bush wrote an editorial piece titled "Yes, Donald Trump, You Said That" after news surfaced that the president tried denying the fact that the voice making the lewd comments on the tape, was his.

"I would also like to say that’s not me on the bus," Bush told Stephen Colbert during his appearance on "The Late Show," Vanity Fair reported. "You don’t get to say that, because I was there, and the last 14 months of my life I have been dealing with it. You dealt with it for 14 minutes and went on to be the president."