Latest news with #VanessaFeltz
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Michaela Strachan opens up about 'extremely brutal' double mastectomy surgery after breast cancer diagnosis
Michaela Strachan has opened up about her double mastectomy during an appearance on Vanessa on Friday, describing the procedure as 'extremely brutal'. The Springwatch presenter, 59, was 'shocked' to hear she had been diagnosed with breast cancer over a decade ago at the beginning of 2014. Luckily she went onto make a full recovery after undergoing a double mastectomy and later reconstructive surgery. Now Michaela has discussed the emotional toll the 'archaic' procedure took on her, revealing she hopes in 50 years a better method of treatment will have been found. Speaking to host Vanessa Feltz, 63, on her Channel 5 show Vanessa, the much-loved wildlife expert said: 'My boobs were never a big part of my personality, but when they said they were going to take them away, they suddenly became more important than I thought they were. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'It's hard, you go through these things and you think you're going to be fine and it's not until afterwards that you realise emotionally it's a big thing. 'I really hope that in 50 years time we look back at removing a woman's boobs as part of the treatment as archaic because there must be a better way.' Michaela was asked by Vanessa whether the procedure is 'too brutal', to which she replied: 'It's brutal! 'To take a woman's breasts away is brutal. Of course, I'd rather not have boobs and be here than have them and be worried that cancer is going to come back. 'But it just seems extremely brutal.' Michaela too spoke to the host about recovering from her double mastectomy, a procedure which almost 15,000 women in the UK undergo every year. 'It's a six week recovery from the mastectomy and six weeks when you have the reconstruction,' she said. 'There's lots of physio exercises that you do but, you know what, I'm in the position now where it's eleven years later and I forget that I've had a mastectomy. 'I really want to encourage people to talk about it. It seems like such a massive thing at the time and I remember asking someone at the time, "When will I stop thinking about it every day?" 'Now, day-to-day, I forget that I ever had breast cancer. I was really lucky.' Others around Michaela were not so lucky however, with the presenter losing a sister-in-law to cancer, a friends' son aged 35, and her partner Nick Chevallier's best friend to a heart attack all during 2014. She told The Express: 'These were people our age. I know I'm getting on but I'm 57 – I shouldn't know this number of people who have died.' While living in a small coastal town in South Africa with her partner and their son Oliver, Michaela has since become an ambassador for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, stressing the importance of having regular mammograms. She has continued to present Springwatch and earlier this year took part in Dancing On Ice, where she skated alongside pro partner Mark Hanretty. Michaela made history on the show as, at the age of 58, she became the oldest ever contestant on Dancing On Ice to make it to the final. She was however pipped at the final hurdle by Sam Aston. Michaela nevertheless described the experience as a 'great' way to push herself outside her comfort zone. The presenter told MailOnline earlier this year: 'I think it's great when you're a bit older and you are able to push yourself out of your comfort zone. 'I spent my entire career pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and it's great to be able to continue to do that.'
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 Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Leslie Ash, 65, makes a rare public appearance using a pink walking stick as she leaves The Vanessa Feltz Show after issuing new health update
Leslie Ash made a rare public appearance as she stepped out in London following her appearance on The Vanessa Feltz Show on Friday. The actress, 65, recently shared a new health update, two decades after contracting an MSSA superbug that nearly left her unable to walk. She was awarded a record £5 million in compensation in 2008 after acquiring the infection in hospital. For her latest outing, Leslie looked radiant in a pink maxi dress with red detailing as she left the studio. She used a pink walking stick for support and paired her look with white trainers and a black handbag. Accessorising with layered jewellery, Leslie appeared in good spirits as she made her way to a waiting car. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Last month, Leslie reflected on the incident that changed her life. She was admitted to hospital in April 2004 after cracking two ribs during a fall from bed amid an intimate moment with her husband, former footballer Lee Chapman. But it was while she was in hospital for this injury that she contracted a 'deadly strain' of the MRSA superbug because of an abscess that had developed in her spinal column - which could have left her permanently unable to walk. Leslie revealed she was only given a 'slight hope of recovery' by doctors, who thought she'd be wheelchair-bound by the time she was 60 due to a life-changing spine condition. Against all odds, the Quadrophenia star has bounced back and rarely relies on a trusty walking stick, let alone a wheelchair. Now 20-years later, Leslie spoke to Charlotte Hawkins and Richard Madeley on Good Morning Britain about her current health state. She said: 'I will never be the same as I was, obviously. But yeah, It is 20 years exactly and It's fine. 'I love working still, I can still do bits. Nowhere near what it was before but I'm feeling really really really good. I'm very healthy.' She added: 'They said I'd be in a wheelchair by the time I was 60 but I think, I'm ver lucky. You know, my husbands helped me with my rehab and getting me into the gym. 'And really making sure that I stay fit. You've got to keep your core strong. There are so many things you have to do, mentally as well.' The Men Behaving Badly star previously admitted she needed 'mental strength' to keep fighting her condition, but has defied doctors expectations. Leslie, who was given a bleak prognosis following the string of unfortunate events, told The Sun: 'They said I'd be in a wheelchair by 60 because of my terrible hips and knees. I was only given a slight hope of recovery but because I wanted it enough I was able to achieve what I have today.' Back in 2008, Leslie successfully sued the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and won an astonishing £5million in compensation, as she had contracted the antibiotic-resistant MSSA form of the infection after an epidural needle came loose. The payout was so hefty because there was a belief she would not return to ongoing TV roles - and the compensation reflected the future loss of earnings. Of the importance of staying optimistic, the Oxfordshire-born star said: 'If I sat down and did nothing I'd be in a wheelchair now, without a doubt. You need a lot of mental strength to keep fighting.'
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Channel 5 bosses in crisis talks about future of Vanessa Feltz's show – just two months after launch
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHANNEL 5 bosses have been locked in crisis talks over the future of Vanessa Feltz's afternoon show. The veteran broadcaster was handed her own self-titled programme on the network two months ago but it has so far failed to deliver the ratings that Channel 5 were hoping for throwing the entire future in jeopardy. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Vanessa Feltz's Channel 5 show is in jeopardy amid low ratings 2 Bosses have held crisis talks over the future of the programme Credit: Channel 5 The Sun understands that head honchos of the programme have held crunch talks about what to do with the show and if there is even a future for Vanessa on Channel 5. It had been hoped that fans who tuned in for Jeremy Vine on the channel would stick around to see Vanessa and her celebrity guests but the ratings have tumbled. An insider told The Sun: "The future of Vanessa's show is very much uncertain for the time being. "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. "Only 62,000 viewers tuned into Monday's episode and there is feeling that it has been a total disaster behind-the-scenes. "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 revealed that staff working on the programme have been further thrown by ITV's recent announcement of cuts across the daytime sector. Knowing that Vanessa brings in far less viewers than Lorraine and Loose Women, who are under threat, they fear it is only a matter of time until the plug is pulled for good. They added: "Everyone is worried and they all feel bitterly disappointed that Vanessa's show hasn't taken off as planned." Despite this, another insider admitted to The Sun that Vanessa's timeslot has always typically received less viewers than Jeremy's on-air slot and at present, was still performing in-line with what is expected of early afternoons on Channel 5. Vanessa Feltz issues HUGE update on her new Channel 5 show as she's set to welcome Corrie legend When contacted by The Sun, a Channel 5 spokesperson said: "There are no current plans for any changes. As with all live shows, we continue to evolve with our audience.' Vanessa's programme launched to much fanfare earlier this year as she made her return to daytime TV hosting. She first hosted Vanessa for ITV between 1994 and 1998 before it came to a halt amid a pay row which allegedly saw Vanessa demand a £2.75million salary. A year later, she hosted a similar show, titled The Vanessa Show, for BBC One, but that was axed after one series. In 2011, The Vanessa Show was revived for the first time by Channel 5 but was eventually pushed to a late afternoon slot amid poor ratings before being cancelled altogether. 14 years on and it seems that Channel 5 are suffering the same fate after choosing to reboot her original ITV show - Vanessa.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Channel 5 bosses in crisis talks about future of Vanessa Feltz's show – just two months after launch
CHANNEL 5 bosses have been locked in crisis talks over the future of Vanessa Feltz's afternoon show. The veteran broadcaster was handed her own self-titled programme on the network two months ago but it has so far failed to deliver the ratings that Channel 5 were hoping for throwing the entire future in jeopardy. 2 The Sun understands that head honchos of the programme have held crunch talks about what to do with the show and if there is even a future for Vanessa on Channel 5. It had been hoped that fans who tuned in for Jeremy Vine on the channel would stick around to see Vanessa and her celebrity guests but the ratings have tumbled. An insider told The Sun: "The future of Vanessa's show is very much uncertain for the time being. "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. "Only 62,000 viewers tuned into Monday's episode and there is feeling that it has been a total disaster behind-the-scenes. "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 revealed that staff working on the programme have been further thrown by ITV 's recent announcement of cuts across the daytime sector. Knowing that Vanessa brings in far less viewers than Lorraine and Loose Women, who are under threat, they fear it is only a matter of time until the plug is pulled for good. They added: "Everyone is worried and they all feel bitterly disappointed that Vanessa's show hasn't taken off as planned." Despite this, another insider admitted to The Sun that Vanessa's timeslot has always typically received less viewers than Jeremy's on-air slot and at present, was still performing in-line with what is expected of early afternoons on Channel 5. Vanessa Feltz issues HUGE update on her new Channel 5 show as she's set to welcome Corrie legend When contacted by The Sun, a Channel 5 spokesperson said: "There are no current plans for any changes. As with all live shows, we continue to evolve with our audience.' Vanessa's programme launched to much fanfare earlier this year as she made her return to daytime TV hosting. She first hosted Vanessa for ITV between 1994 and 1998 before it came to a halt amid a pay row which allegedly saw Vanessa demand a £2.75million salary. A year later, she hosted a similar show, titled The Vanessa Show, for BBC One, but that was axed after one series. In 2011, The Vanessa Show was revived for the first time by Channel 5 but was eventually pushed to a late afternoon slot amid poor ratings before being cancelled altogether. 14 years on and it seems that Channel 5 are suffering the same fate after choosing to reboot her original ITV show - Vanessa. Vanessa Feltz on 5 Vanessa Feltz is set to host her own brand new daytime show on 5, but what can viewers expect? The commercial network have promised the show will be open, honest, and full of fun discussions. Topics that will be covered include relationships, parenting, gossip or fashion. Speaking about her self-titled programme, she said: "I cannot wait to get started on this sparkling adventure with Channel 5. "This show is all about YOU – your stories, your opinions, your emotions, and your triumphs. Television's never been so real, honest, or unpredictable. "Life isn't perfect, so let's not pretend it is – let's help each other out, have a giggle, and make every show a conversation worth having so kick off your shoes and come and join me for lunch, relax with a bit of me time and let's have a ball!"
