Daytime television stalwart Vanessa Feltz has faced a fresh wave of criticism following the third relaunch of her self-titled Channel 5 chat show this week, with viewers taking aim at the programme's revamped studio set.
Third Time Unlucky for Revamped Show
The 63-year-old presenter's show, 'Vanessa', returned to screens after a December hiatus, having initially been shelved in October last year after a seven-month run. Channel 5 has invested significant "time and money" into the latest iteration, which now airs in a shortened one-hour slot from 2pm to 3pm. The format promises to let viewers "set the agenda".
Promoting the comeback on social media, Feltz wrote: "Have your say. Give me a ring. Set the agenda. I want to talk about what you want to talk about. Let me know. Can’t wait to see you there. Big kiss V." However, the focus quickly shifted from content to aesthetics.
Viewers Slam 'Cheap and Tacky' New Set
The newly designed set, featuring panelled walls and a neon sign, has failed to impress the audience. Many took to social media to brand the look "cheap and tacky", with comparisons to a task room on 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
One viewer joked on X: "It looks like something Celebrity Big Brother would set up in the task room so Vanessa Feltz could host a talk show task." Another comment read: "Oh bless her it doesn’t look great. I think she’s a great TV personality though."
A television discussion account noted the change from her previous pink-heavy decor, posting: "It’s a new year new set across the board apparently, even Vanessa on 5 has gotten rid of her horrific pink sofas in favour of what looks like a fake podcast studio." This prompted a reply stating simply: "Looks cheap and tacky." Other criticisms were more biting, with one person asking: "What in the B&M, crushed velvet, cheap podcasting s**** is this?"
High Stakes for the Show's Future
According to a source speaking to The Sun, Feltz is acutely aware that "a lot is riding on the next few months" for the programme. "Vanessa is putting everything she has into the show to make it a success," the insider said. "Despite it being a tricky time for terrestrial telly, she’s confident it deserves to be on the schedule and has big plans for 2026."
The source also conceded that the show has not taken off as hoped, revealing: "Channel 5 have already put a lot of time and money into launching the show, but it hasn’t taken off as much as they would have liked."
This is not the first time Feltz has fiercely defended her chat show. In March last year, she clapped back at a viewer who claimed he would rather 'scoop his eyes out with a spoon' than watch, offering to post him a spoon to do the deed.
The presenter has previously expressed sadness over leaving ITV's 'This Morning' after 33 years to host the Channel 5 programme, telling Metro she would have loved to do both shows simultaneously. "I would happily have stayed and gone on the back of a motorbike from the This Morning studio straight to Channel 5 and done both," she said.
