Winfrey won't publicly support Obama in 2012?

Oprah Winfrey does not plan to publicly support Barack Obama in the 2012 US presidential election, it has been alleged.

Winfrey supported Obama's campaign in 2008, holding a highly publicised political rally for him during his presidential challenge.

According to a Gallup poll conducted before the rally, Winfrey's favourable ratings fell from 74 to 66% while her unfavourable ratings jumped from 17 to 26%.

Her TV show ratings also fell following the event.

A source told PopEater that Winfrey doesn't want to do anything to alienate viewers now that she has launched her OWN network.

The insider said: "Unlike in 2008, when a drop in ratings didn't matter as much for the queen of TV, Oprah is now fighting every day to get people to tune into OWN."

However, Winfrey's rep has strongly denied the claims, and insisted that the talkshow host is as committed to Obama's campaign as ever.

Winfrey's spokesperson Lisa Halliday said: "Oprah's support of President Obama has been and remains unwavering since she initially endorsed his candidacy in 2007. Any reports that suggest otherwise are untrue."

Judge Judy defeated Oprah in the ratings last season to become the number one daytime TV series.

Earlier this month, Chicago-based Harpo Productions revealed that the final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show will air on May 25.