Vanessa Feltz / 5
Vanessa Feltz’s daytime chat show on 5 has been axed after just 15 months amid ongoing ratings struggles.
The veteran broadcaster, 64, left the BBC after more than 20 years in 2022 to join talkRADIO before moving to LBC in 2024.
In March 2025 she began hosting magazine format Vanessa for 5 – initially at 12.30pm as a rival to ITV’s Loose Women, but it subsequently switched to 2pm earlier this year.
Over the last few months the programme has hit the headlines after being flooded with prank callers impersonating celebrities including the late Kim Woodburn, the Nighty Night character Jill Tyrell and numerous characters from EastEnders.
“Vanessa was brought into a meeting after her show came off air this week,” a source told the Daily Mail.
“She had no idea what the meeting was about and certainly didn’t expect to be told it was not being renewed. She feels so blindsided but also let down by bosses.”
On the prank calls, the insider continued: “Producers tried their best to crack down on the calls by limiting just landline users to phone in, but that was decided to be too restrictive given today’s technology and accessibility.
“Vanessa has given her all to the show – she left a very good role on This Morning, which is already long-established, for this gig.
“She is truly devastated, but also for her team too, many of whom will now need to find new jobs.”
A 5 spokesman confirmed: “Due to afternoon scheduling changes, Vanessa will be rested from July 17.”
In recent months the show has been averaging an insignificant 50,000 viewers per episode.
