'Burke' and 'McDreamy' clash on the set of Grey's Anatomy

Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey.

Tension runs high in the life and death world of the operating theatre - but apparently it's worse on the set of a TV drama.

The leading men of medical drama Grey's Anatomy butted heads this week after an argument broke out between Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey, reported People magazine.

Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke reportedly took issue with cast mates showing up late for filming, taking his frustrations out on Dempsey, better know as McDreamy, or Dr. Derek Shepherd.

"We were like two baseball players . . . nose-to-nose," Washington told the magazine.

"We had a difference of opinions while working on set but we've resolved it."

Dempsey's representative said: "There was an argument on set. In any close-knit family, sometimes people argue. But everybody made up and went back to work."

Earlier reports suggested Washington had tried to choke Dempsey, however, both parties have denied such an incident took place.

- NZHERALD STAFF