Ruth Langsford, the renowned ITV presenter known for her roles on Loose Women and This Morning, has opened up about the celebrities she finds most difficult to interview. With over three decades in the television industry, the 66-year-old has conducted countless star-studded conversations, but not all have been smooth sailing.
Challenging Interviews with Young American Stars
In a candid interview with Woman Magazine, Langsford revealed that while the majority of famous individuals she has met have been pleasant, there is one group that stands out as particularly tough. She explained, "I'd say that 99 per cent of famous people I've met and interviewed have been mostly very nice. I've often found young American stars – whose names, half of them, I didn't know – were the most difficult, interestingly."
This contrasts sharply with her experiences interviewing established icons. Langsford praised veterans like Dame Joan Collins and Jeff Bridges, describing them as "absolutely charming, lovely and very professional." Her comments highlight a generational or cultural divide in interview dynamics within the entertainment world.
Dream Interview with Dame Helen Mirren
When asked about her interview wish list, Langsford expressed a strong desire to chat with Dame Helen Mirren. She shared, "The one person that I've never interviewed is Dame Helen Mirren. I'd love to chat with her. I just love her, she's an absolute style icon for me personally. I'd love to go and have a glass of wine with her." This reveals her admiration for seasoned actresses and hints at the more relaxed, personal approach she might prefer in interviews.
Context of ITV Scheduling Changes
Langsford's insights come at a time of significant change for ITV's daytime programming. As part of a major shake-up earlier this year, Loose Women and Lorraine were transitioned from year-round broadcasts to a 30-week seasonal schedule. Additionally, Lorraine has been reduced from an hour to 30 minutes, and Loose Women has lost its live audience, though its time slot remains unchanged.
Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV's media and entertainment division, commented on these adjustments to the BBC. He stated, "Daytime is a really important part of what we do, and these scheduling and production changes will enable us to continue to deliver a schedule providing viewers with the news, debate and discussion they love from the presenters they know and trust, as well as generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres."
Lygo further emphasized that these changes support ITV's news operations, expanding national, international, and regional news output to meet viewer demand for accurate, unbiased coverage.
Langsford's Career Philosophy and Future Plans
Reflecting on her unpredictable career path, Langsford shared her flexible approach to work. She said, "I never have a plan, because I don't decide if I work or not. I think people should know by now what I'm good at, what I do, 30-odd years of doing it, so I'm always open to suggestion." This mindset has allowed her to diversify her roles, including work with the shopping channel QVC alongside her ITV commitments.
Despite the industry shifts, Langsford remains enthusiastic about her profession. She added, "I've done all sorts of things, obviously, outside ITV as well. And I love working, I've no plans to retire anytime soon." Her resilience and adaptability underscore her long-standing presence in British television, even as she navigates the challenges of interviewing certain celebrities.
