Vanessa Feltz has spoken out after Channel 5 decided to rest her self-titled programme, admitting she was “shocked to the core and very upset” by the decision. The television presenter addressed the career blow during her LBC radio show on Friday, June 21, 2026.
The news that Vanessa would be pulled from the schedule emerged earlier this week. The show had been airing since March 2025, following a revival of Feltz’s earlier chat show format. A Channel 5 spokesperson confirmed that the programme would be rested from July 17, 2026, due to “afternoon scheduling changes.”
Feltz Expresses Shock on Air
Speaking to her LBC listeners, Feltz said: “It was a bit of a shock. It was meant to be a delightful year’s contract, the show was going really well… I was shocked to the core and very upset and I still am.”
The show featured Feltz interviewing studio guests and taking calls from the public. However, it also attracted hoax callers, some of whom impersonated characters from the BBC soap EastEnders and recounted plotlines from the show.
Channel 5 Statement and Future Plans
In a statement, a Channel 5 spokesperson said: “Due to afternoon scheduling changes, Vanessa will be rested from July 17th. We thank Vanessa and her team at ITN for 18 months of warm, witty, wise and searingly honest shows. Vanessa remains a valued member of the 5 family and we are discussing future projects together.”
The show had undergone three redesigns during its run, affecting both the studio and branding, in an apparent attempt to attract more viewers.
Vanessa’s Television Career
Feltz originally hosted a chat show on ITV from 1994 to 1998, which was later replaced by Trisha. She went on to work on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast, BBC Radio 2, and This Morning before reviving her talk show format on Channel 5 in 2025. The programme aired for an hour on weekdays.
Beyond presenting, Feltz has appeared on reality TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, Celebs Go Dating, and Celebrity Big Brother.
