Producers: Desperate Housewives 'not at war'

The producers of Desperate Housewives are acting fast to play down reports the five stars of the show hate each other after feuding on the set of a Vanity Fair cover shoot.

Marcia Cross reportedly lashed out at publicists when castmate Teri Hatcher appeared in the middle of the group shot, despite requests that she wasn't made the centre of attention.

But the show's producers insist the lengthy shoot became heated when circumstances out of the actress' control took over.

In a statement released yesterday, the producers said: "This shoot simply did not go as planned. Because of this, our talent were made to deal as best they could with a situation not of their making.

"This one isolated incident does not define these women or their relationship."