An emotional video has been shared by a key behind-the-scenes star of ITV's This Morning as she leaves her "dream job in telly" just days before Christmas, a casualty of the broadcaster's sweeping cuts.
End of an Era for Long-Serving Stylist
Stylist Amber Jackson, a major presence on the popular daytime show for 16 years, posted a poignant clip of herself waving goodbye to the programme's various sets. Her role was one of over 220 positions eliminated by ITV as part of what have been described as brutal cost-cutting measures.
In the video, she simply wrote: "POV: You're leaving your dream job in telly after 16 years." She captioned it: "The fashion cupboard is empty, but my heart is full. Farewell, This Morning, thank you for the memories." Jackson later admitted the departure involved "a lot of ugly crying backstage."
Wider ITV Shake-Up and Colleague Reactions
The job losses come amid dramatic changes across ITV's programming slate, triggered by falling viewer numbers and the shift towards streaming services. Other alterations include:
- Reducing Lorraine to a 30-minute show.
- Removing the live audience from Loose Women.
Jackson's fans and colleagues flooded her post with supportive messages. One wrote, "What a woman, what a gig! You will do such fabulous things," while another called her a "legend." Jackson had previously praised her colleagues, including host Dermot O'Leary, for being her "biggest cheerleaders."
Another Emotional ITV Departure
Jackson is not the only staff member to bid an emotional farewell. Lee Peart, the 35-year-old comedian for Loose Women, also marked his departure after the axing of the show's live audience, a role he had held since 2017.
Peart described it as the "bittersweet end of an era" on Facebook, stating, "Two weeks today will be my final Loose Women!" He made a final on-screen appearance from Warwick Castle's ice rink to promote a competition, a departure from his usual behind-the-scenes work.
The back-to-back departures underscore a period of significant upheaval for the UK's commercial broadcasting giant as it adapts to a rapidly changing media landscape.
