Hoda Kotb sparks frenzied speculation that she is BACK with her ex-fiancé after fans spot ring

Hoda Kotb has fans speculating that she's rekindled her relationship with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman after she was spotted wearing a ring on the Today show.

The 60-year-old broadcaster, who is preparing to exit the NBC program on January 10 after 26 years at the network, was seen fiddling with the piece of jewelry during Thursday's episode which she fronted alongside Laura Jarrett and Dylan Dreyer.

Eagle-eyed viewers could see that Hoda wore a ring on her fourth finger on her left hand - the same hand and finger that engagement rings are typically worn on.

Sharing their findings on her social media, many hoped that Hoda was giving a subtle signal that she's back with Joel, 66. 

'Did anyone else notice the ring on Hoda's left hand this morning?' one wrote on her Instagram page.

'I was waiting for an announcement,' another replied. 'At one point she was fiddling with it, sliding it up and down. I was really hoping her and Joel were back together.'

A third said: 'I noticed on her yesterday while she was broadcasting the Rose Parade with Al Roker.'

'Yes, I noticed that too and I was waiting for her to make an announcement also,' wrote a fourth.

'She seemed exceptionally giddy this morning and I thought maybe it was because she's looking forward to her time off after next week.

'But then I noticed the ring and I wondered if something else was going on.'

They continued: 'Maybe she will make an announcement soon. 

'She seemed to show the ring at one point and then all of a sudden realize that maybe she shouldn't yet and it seemed as though she was hiding her hand from that point on.'

Confirming the sighting, another speculated: 'Yes she definitely is wearing a ring! Maybe she will make the announcement when everyone is back together on air!'

Hoda first started her relationship with Joel in 2013 and in November 2019, she announced live on Today that they were engaged.

But on January 31, 2022, Hoda revealed on Today with Hoda & Jenna that she and Joel had decided to end their engagement and would focus on co-parenting as friends.

Hoda shares two adopted daughters with Joel - Haley Joy, seven, and Hope Catherine, five. 

When she announced their split, she insisted there was no bad blood between them, saying they were 'better as friends and parents.'

'Joel and I have had a lot of prayer and meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we are better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple,' the talk show host said.

'So we decided we are going to start this new year on our new path as loving parents to our adorably delightful children and as friends.

'It's not like something happened. They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, a season or a lifetime, this was for a season.' 

Last month, Hoda and Joel reunited to celebrate Christmas together with their daughters. 

Hoda previously shared her holiday plans, revealing that Joel is still is involved in the big day. 

'For us, our Christmas isn't huge because it's me, my kids, my mom, my sister, Joel,' she said during the December 24 episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna, which was pre-filmed.

'We get together,' she continued. 'That's the group, and it's kind of just a cozy Christmas.

'So, we'll put out cookies tonight for Santa and carrots. He always seems to like the cookies more.'