Former BBC newsreader Jan Leeming has faced criticism for comments about Black, Asian and minority ethnic people amid her public spat with ITV News presenter Charlene White. Leeming, 84, had accused White, 46, of being “condescending” and questioned whether she can “hack it as a newsreader”. White, who has fronted ITV News since 2008 and also guest-hosts Loose Women, described the remarks as “disrespectful”.
Leeming doubles down
Leeming has now doubled down, claiming it is “far easier for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people to get ahead”. She said: “I said I didn’t know how good you are as a journalist but I find your delivery condescending. It has nothing to do with colour.” The former I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestant added: “Actually I believe it is far easier these days for BAME people to get ahead in all walks of life. It was only an opinion and my apologies to [White].”
Critics respond
Critics hit out at her post. One wrote to White: “I am completely appalled by that presenter’s comments. I suppose I have ‘followed’ your career since the start, and I have always had the highest regard for your professionalism and, particularly, the manner in which you relate to the audience. I can’t understand it.” Another said to Leeming: “It’s is very disappointing to read your post. Please review your information regarding BAME or UKME people - no it’s not easier. In every single statistic it is proven that Black people have to try significantly harder to be taken seriously in any career.” A third sarcastically asked: “And you’re basing your view that it’s easier for ‘BAME’ people to get ahead on what? Your experiences as a black woman?”
Further posts and exit
Leeming, who presented for the BBC between 1969 and 1987, also responded to a user referencing Cambridge professor Jason Arday, who recently resigned after being at the centre of a plagiarism row. She posted: “That is an extreme case. But if one did a headcount in Television I think one might find a disproportionate ratio of BAME people relevant to their overall proportion in the population. Same goes for female representation. Only saying.” She then re-shared a fan post that read: “[Your apology] will fall on deaf ears Jan. The constantly offended and entitled ‘black’ excuse has been used.” Leeming has since announced she is quitting social media after facing trolling. The Standard has contacted Leeming’s representative for comment.
The row began when Leeming posted on X: “Wish ITV's Charlene would stop addressing us as if we were children. She has such a condescending style. Don't know whether or not she is an excellent journalist but don't think she hacks it as a newsreader. It may look an easy job but not all are as good as Mary Nightingale.” White responded: “Very surprising to see a presenter I admired as a kid deciding to slate me on social media. In an industry where women, especially black women, have had to work incredibly hard to get ahead, this type of disrespect from a fellow female journo feels like s’thing from a bygone era.”
Leeming previously made headlines for claiming she no longer gets work because of her received pronunciation accent. In 2024, she joked that she doesn’t “tick modern boxes” on account of her voice and that the English language was “being mangled” on television. Responding to a follower who said she'd be a good fit for voiceover roles, she wrote: “Thank you but you are a lone voice and I am small fry. I'm old, speak RP English and don't tick the PC boxes. Have given up even trying.” She said the decline of well-spoken speech was “gathering pace”, adding: “[I] totally accept accents unless they are so pronounced the speaker is unintelligible to the masses outside their region.” She released her autobiography in 2003 and participated in I'm a Celebrity in 2006.
