Lauren Harries Opens Up About Secret Feud with Vanessa Feltz
Lauren Harries has publicly discussed her secret feud with television host Vanessa Feltz, revealing that she felt "uneasy" and "nervous" during an interview with Feltz. The tensions between the two personalities have emerged following a prank caller incident on Feltz's Channel 5 show, where an impersonator pretended to be Harries during a live phone-in segment.
The Origins of the Feud
Harries, 48, explained to the Daily Mail that she and Feltz, 64, have "never clicked" despite working together multiple times. Their professional relationship dates back to 2013 when Harries was interviewed by Feltz on her BBC Radio London show as part of a Celebrity Big Brother task. Harries described feeling unusually nervous during that interview, stating, "I've never been nervous, and it's the only time I've ever been nervous was when I was being interviewed by Vanessa."
She elaborated on the discomfort, saying, "You could tell she was forcing being nice." Harries believes this tension was compounded by her being photographed with Feltz's then-partner, Ben Ofoedu, during a night out in London with Courtney Stodden in 2013. "I don't think any woman likes it when they [their man] have been out with another woman," Harries remarked.
The Prank Caller Incident
The feud gained public attention after a caller impersonating Harries appeared on Feltz's Channel 5 show, Vanessa, discussing whether children should choose their own bedtimes. The impersonator, who shared Harries' Cardiff accent and referred to the panel as "stars"—a term Harries uses for her fans—prompted confusion. Harries later confirmed on social media platform X that it was not her and expressed surprise that Feltz did not recognize the voice discrepancy.
Harries criticized the show's production, saying, "With all the researchers and production staff working on a national TV show, you would think something like this simply wouldn't happen." She argued that the incident undermined the show's credibility and called for an apology, suggesting she should have been invited on the program to address the matter directly.
Professional Disagreements and Personal Boundaries
Despite the friction, Harries emphasized that she holds "nothing against Vanessa at all" but views her as a "business associate" rather than a friend. She reflected on their dynamic, noting, "It's just the way it is when you work with people, you either get on or you don't." Harries, who is set to publish her second book, I Am Woman, later this year, has shifted her focus to creating and selling artwork on her website.
The prank caller episode has reportedly led to a series of hoax calls on Feltz's show, with impersonators pretending to be other celebrities and even referencing fictional characters. Harries maintained that such incidents highlight a need for better vetting processes in live television. "Viewers deserve an explanation," she asserted, urging the show to take responsibility for the oversight.
As of now, representatives for Vanessa Feltz and Channel 5 have not publicly commented on Harries' claims or the prank caller situation. The ongoing feud underscores the complexities of celebrity relationships in the media landscape, where personal histories and professional interactions often intertwine.
