Vanessa Feltz's Channel 5 show ‘on the brink' as ratings drop amid crisis talks
Vanessa Feltz's new afternoon talk show on Channel 5 is reportedly facing an uncertain future as disappointing ratings prompt behind-the-scenes crisis talks
Channel 5 is reportedly scrambling behind the scenes as concerns mount over the future of Vanessa, the recently launched afternoon talk show fronted by veteran broadcaster Vanessa Feltz.
Just two months into its run, the programme has yet to make the splash network executives had hoped for - prompting urgent strategy meetings and casting doubt over Feltz's long-term place at the channel.
Top producers have reportedly held intense discussions in recent days, weighing the show's viability and considering potential format overhauls. The network had anticipated that Vanessa's star power would retain the audience from The Jeremy Vine Show, but viewership has not met expectations.
'The future of Vanessa's show is very much uncertain for the time being,' a source confided to The Sun. 'Bosses have been locked in crisis talks and have been planning ways to immediately revamp the programme if there is to be a chance that it could be saved."
Ratings for the show have reportedly nosedived, with just 62,000 people tuning in to Monday's episode - a sharp contrast to the 200,000 viewers Jeremy Vine routinely draws. 'Jeremy regularly gets 200,000 watching his show but they all seem to reach for the remote and switch off when Vanessa comes on,' the insider added.
The atmosphere behind the scenes has grown increasingly tense, particularly following ITV 's recent announcement of sweeping cuts to its daytime output. With big-name programmes like Lorraine and Loose Women facing potential downsizing, insiders say staff are bracing for the worst.
'Everyone is worried and they all feel bitterly disappointed that Vanessa's show hasn't taken off as planned,' the source said.
However, a second insider offered a more tempered view, noting that the time slot Vanessa occupies traditionally underperforms in comparison to earlier segments: 'Vanessa's timeslot has always typically received less viewers than Jeremy's on-air slot and at present, [the show] was still performing in-line with what is expected of early afternoons on Channel 5.'
In response to the speculation, a Channel 5 spokesperson commented: 'There are no current plans for any changes. As with all live shows, we continue to evolve with our audience.'
Vanessa made a high-profile return to daytime television when the show debuted earlier this year, marking a revival of a format she first led in the 1990s. She originally hosted Vanessa on ITV from 1994 to 1998, with the show coming to an end amid reports of a pay dispute, during which Feltz allegedly requested a £2.75 million salary.
She later fronted The Vanessa Show on BBC One in 1999, though it was short-lived and cancelled after just one season.
Channel 5 attempted to breathe new life into the concept in 2011, but the revamped Vanessa Show was ultimately relegated to a later time slot due to flagging ratings and then cancelled altogether.
The Mirror has approached Vanessa's representatives and a Channel 5 spokesperson for comment on this story.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Live
9 minutes ago
- Edinburgh Live
Sheila Hancock shares three secrets behind living past 90
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Acting legend Dame Sheila Hancock has revealed her three secrets to living so long, after the beloved actor recently celebrated her 92nd birthday. Having appeared in some of the nation's favourite TV shows and films down the years, her first foray into acting came on stage in the 1950s, with her going on to be cast in a number of West End shows in her early years in the industry. As the years passed, her stock continued to rise with her soon swapping the stage for various roles in front of the camera both in cinema and TV. Her debut came in the much-loved Rag Trade that aired on the BBC in the early 1960s. (Image:for The Ivy West Street) And before long, she soon started to earn a flurry of other high-profile roles down the years on shows including Doctor Who, EastEnders and The Catherine Tate Show. One of her latest performances came in ITV's Unforgotten, starring as Eileen. More recently, she has been seen in a slew of TV shows alongside her close friend Gyles Brandreth as they joined forces in Great Canal Journeys on Channel 4. (Image:) Now, during a recent appearance on Katherine Ryan's What's My Age podcast, the actor opened up on how she has managed to remain in such good health at the age of 92, saying that having a positive "mental attitude" and being "curious" have stood her in good stead over the years. Meanwhile, she shared how her career has enabled her to always keep on top of her fitness, before adding that trips to dance classes and the gym have also managed to keep her in-check physically. (Image: Getty Images) While adding that "sensible" eating provides another potential key to her longevity, she admitted that she has allowed herself the occasional treat down the years, saying: "Well, not always, but I've mainly eaten sensibly, except of course one eats after the show and all the silly things." And, she said that she can see how her healthy lifestyle compares to some of those around her of a similar age, saying: "But I know that I am better than most of my contemporaries in terms of health." (Image: PA) She added: "I mean, I haven't had any replacements or anything like that. But then I think I've got quite a high pain threshold. I'm quite good with pain." She also spoke of how she has decided to brave it out when it comes to a recent hip pain she has been suffering from, whereas saying she believes that others her age might be inclined to seek a hip replacement.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Cat Deeley's flattering £80 Mango maxi skirt is the perfect summer office piece
Cat Deeley has been on our TV screens co-hosting ITV's This Morning all week and has been looking super stylish in a range of high street outfits - and yesterday's look was no different Cat Deeley has once again caught our attention with her latest high street ensemble. This time, she's sporting a trendy maxi skirt that's perfect for the office. Just this week, Cat stirred up some controversy among viewers with her £39 Black Hardware Detail Halter Top from Next, which some deemed more suitable for beachwear than work attire. However, it seems Cat has reclaimed her fashion credibility with her outfit on yesterday's episode of This Morning. She was seen wearing a Silk Satin Halterneck Top + Tie from popular British brand ME + EM, teamed with a Flared Cotton Skirt from Mango. The Mango skirt retails at £79.99 and is crafted from a light cotton-blend fabric, making it an ideal choice for summer office wear. Cotton is naturally breathable and boasts moisture-wicking properties, ensuring this maxi skirt will keep you cool throughout the summer months while still being suitable for the office. Paired with another heat-friendly material, silk, you've got yourself the ultimate summer outfit that keeps you cool, reports OK!. Cotton maxi skirts are one of this summer's biggest trends, and they're incredibly versatile. Whether you want to dress it up like Cat with a silk halterneck top, dress it down with an oversized t-shirt, or channel your inner cool-girl with a ruched vest top, this adaptable piece is a fantastic addition to any wardrobe. We love that Cat's Mango skirt is in a stunning, neutral beige hue that makes it incredibly versatile and easy to pair with anything. This utility-style maxi skirt also boasts pockets, a practical design feature that allows you to carry your essentials without the need for a handbag. Cat has been absolutely nailing her fashion choices recently, showcasing a variety of striking ensembles, from the sunny allure of her butter yellow linen suit by Massimo Dutti to the figure-enhancing green maxi dress from French Connection, not to mention the party-ready mini dress she discovered at River Island. Her wardrobe strikes the perfect balance between accessible high-street pieces and timeless silhouettes that will never go out of style.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Dan Snow 'overwhelmed' finding remains of girl, 12 - 'She was my daughter's age'
Dan Snow explores the ruins of Machu Picchu in a compelling new show for 5. But the father-of-three was struck when he discovered the mummified remains of a young girl. Scaling Machu Picchu, Dan Snow 's latest adventure is anything but ordinary. But he was rattled by his encounter with a 600-year-old Inca mummy. The historian and presenter, 46, fronts Machu Picchu: The Discovery with Dan Snow on Channel 5, diving deep into the secrets of the ancient Peruvian city lost to the jungle for centuries. 'It is the most splendid and overwhelming location for a historical site. Nothing can prepare you for arriving there,' he says, 'I'd never visited before and it was one of my bucket list places. I was so desperate to do it.' Alongside the stunning scenery came cultural revelations. 'The Incas were very different,' he says, 'To understand their belief systems, you have to turn everything you understand from the West on its head. They used to keep their Emperors mummified, bringing them out on special occasions. Death wasn't the end for them. That was difficult because it's so different.' He adds: "Seeing the way the landscape is kind of organised – like a great big Coliseum. Such beautiful mountains, river valleys and then stunning buildings. All built with these extraordinary, exquisite stonemasonry techniques of the Inca. It is truly like a lost city in the jungle. It's the thing you dream about when you're a little kid." But one of the most striking of the show moments came when Dan encountered the frozen remains of a 12-year-old-girl, sacrificed to the mountain gods. 'She was perfectly preserved in ice,' he says, 'I had to hold her for a minute. She was my daughter's age. It was one of the most overwhelming things.' Dan has been married to criminologist and philanthropist Lady Edwina Louise Grosvenor since November 2010. Edwina is the second daughter of the 6th Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor. She and Dan lead a happy family life in the New Forest with their three children. Hidden from Spanish invaders and swallowed by rainforest, Machu Picchu remained untouched for centuries. 'It was just so inaccessible," says Dan. The Spanish never managed to get to it. Everything grows so fast that it was abandoned: The Spanish never found it, and before you know it the jungle had just taken over.' But reaching it wasn't easy. 'It was a really challenging place to film. Carrying all our equipment over these mountain paths,' he says, 'At one stage, we were swinging the camera, and I almost fell off into the valley below. It was exhausting.' The altitude only made things worse. 'People were having nosebleeds as we were trying to operate equipment,' Dan adds. 'Even in Cusco, one of the highest cities on Earth. It was one of the more challenging places I have had to operate for sure.' Now back from his visit, Dan's wanderlust is far from cured. 'I'd love to visit Easter Island," he says, 'There are Roman ruins in North Africa, even in China! The great happiness is that there's always opportunities.'
