Latest news with #TheJeremyVineShow
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
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.
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Emotional late night call to radio show that saved man's life
During a phone-in, Cristo Foufas, radio host and panellist on The Jeremy Vine Show, spoke to a listener 'Simon' who was planning to take his life - what happened next was incredible... As a broadcaster with 20 years of experience, I'm used to talking. I truly believe discussing issues in the news, thrashing things out, is the key not only to solving problems, but to good mental health. And experts agree. A recent study found 'talking therapies' – like seeing counsellors or psychiatrists – achieve far better results than any other type of treatment. But even talking with friends can help. Who doesn't feel better after a chin-wag? The Mental Health Foundation agrees, stating friendships play a 'key role' in good mental health. I've presented many different types of radio shows, but there's nothing that compares with the emotional connection I've felt when hosting late-night phone-ins. This sort of show is a place where I've heard the most incredible stories from people about their lives. I've been privy to triumphs, tragedies, laughter and tears. It's been an honour and a privilege to lend an ear. What many of them don't know is how much they've helped me with my mental health over the years. During times when I've been suffering with debilitating depression or a crippling eating disorder, it's knowing I'd get a chance to speak to callers which gave me the will to dust myself off, get dressed and go to work. And every time, I've felt better after – demonstrating the power of talking. Thankfully, I'm in a far happier place now. But I still wasn't prepared for a call I received four years ago during the Covid lockdown. It was a surreal and frightening time for everyone. But as the presenter of the 10pm-1am show on TalkTV, I genuinely felt I had a duty to help with the mental health of my audience – many of whom hadn't really seen anyone in person for months. I used to call myself their 'late-night friend' as people were so delicate during that period. It was a heavy responsibility and I like to think the experience of my own mental-health struggles brought a perspective which really helped. One night, my producer put through a call from 'Simon'. While I was used to hearing those who were struggling, Simon was different. Within moments of coming on air, he delivered a bombshell: he was planning on taking his own life. He'd already tried once, and failed. His mental health was still in turmoil, he was racked with guilt about letting down his children over his previous suicide attempt, and was in despair over the personal problems he was facing around his finances, his ex-partner, and his job. He saw no other way out. I did what any friend would do - I listened. I let him talk. I gave him advice. I repeatedly told him he had nothing to feel guilty about. That things would change and the power was in his hands. We just happened to be speaking on a national radio station with an audience of hundreds of thousands of people, but it could have been any two friends talking. The conversation lasted more than 20 minutes which is unheard of on Talk radio. And then off-air, my producer gave Simon advice on where he could get help. It was a tough call, but we really hoped we'd got through to him, and we were happy he'd chosen to speak to someone. He'd unburdened himself of the weight he was carrying, even if it was on national radio, and seemed better for it. Subsequently we'd tried contacting Simon again in the following months without any luck, and I'd often thought about whether his mental health had improved since our call. So I was shocked to the core when I finally heard from him four years later. Unfortunately due to cuts, my show was one of many being axed by the station. During my final show, 'Simon from Bristol' was put through and, by then, it had been so long I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't recognise his name. But I was left speechless when he told me he couldn't let me leave Talk without thanking me for 'saving his life'. He went on to explain that the call he made was the turning point. He'd gone on to have a meaningful relationship with his children, a stable home life, and even a dog. And he credited it, the help we gave him, as the moment it all changed. It kick-started his journey to a better place. Hearing that was one of the most humbling moments in my career. As I pointed out, all I did was be a friend; he'd actually done the hard work by speaking out about his mental health. What would have happened had he not called my show four years ago? If, like the two-thirds of people who suffer, he'd decided to just put on a brave face? He'd almost certainly not have been here to tell the tale, yet another statistic of male suicide which is still rising every year. If anything shows how crucial it is to speak up about mental health, this does. I'm thrilled the Radio Academy has recognised the moment Simon called to thank me as a nominee in this year's ARIA awards for Radio Times Moment of the Year. It's voted for by the public, votes close May 1, and if we won, it really would cement the power of radio as well as the importance of speaking up about your mental health. See How to help someone who is suicidal Middle-aged men are more likely to take their own lives than any other age group. Male suicides have accounted for three-quarters of all cases since the mid-90s. So the advice from organisations like the Samaritans, if someone mentions suicidal thoughts, is not to dismiss them. Try and encourage them to open up and talk. And don't worry if you struggle; these conversations are difficult. But it's important to let them know they are not alone. Remember, you may not always have a solution and it won't help if you tell them about someone worse off. They need you to be supportive, not reactive. And rather than criticising or apportioning blame, ask about their reasons then listen to the answers. Reassure them they won't feel this way forever and that the intensity of feelings can reduce in time. Encourage them to focus on getting through the day rather than dwelling on the future. If they have a plan for ending their life, encourage them to get professional help. Try to keep them safe by not leaving them on their own, keep talking and remove any harmful items.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Vanessa Feltz to interview actress Helen Flanagan as first guest on new 5 show
Vanessa Feltz is to interview actress Helen Flanagan as the first guest on her new 5 show after the presenter departed This Morning. The 63-year-old will launch Vanessa at 12.30pm on Monday March 24, after she left her presenting role on the ITV daytime magazine show after more than 30 years. Flanagan, 34, who is best known for playing Rosie Webster on ITV soap Coronation Street between 2000 and 2018, will chat to Feltz about co-parenting her three children with her ex-husband, footballer Scott Sinclair, as well as welcoming her new partner's children into the family. Speaking about the new show on The Jeremy Vine Show on Friday, Feltz said: 'Helen's also very candid about all sorts of issues that she's had in life. 'It hasn't necessarily gone straightforwardly in every way, she had a sad split from the father of her children, she's found love again. 'She's going to be a revelation. I think she's going to be fabulous.' Feltz had previously told the PA news agency her new show would welcome any subject of conversation with the exception of politics. She said: 'It's not going to be politics, and it's not going to be news stories of the day, it's not that. 'So that is great, because lots of people are completely overwhelmed by the news agenda – it's a bit worrying and unsettling … you keep hearing all these sad and worrying stories, and you're not sure what to do about them, because what the hell can you do? And you feel horrid. 'So I'm hoping that this will be a kind of oasis of refuge in the middle of the day, away from the news and into the things that we really like, like love, and friendship, and dating, and family relationships, and parenting. 'You know, all the stuff that really concerns us, that we think about and worry about.' From March 24, Vanessa will air from Monday to Friday at lunchtimes on 5, produced by ITN Productions.
