Daytime television stalwart Vanessa Feltz has been met with a fresh wave of criticism following the third relaunch of her self-titled Channel 5 chat show this week. Viewers have taken to social media to brand the programme's new look as "cheap and tacky".
A Show in Search of Success
The 63-year-old presenter's show, simply named 'Vanessa', returned to screens after a December hiatus. This marks another attempt to establish the programme, which was initially shelved in October 2023 after a seven-month run. A Channel 5 insider confirmed the network has invested significant "time and money" into the revamp, with a shortened, hour-long format now airing between 2pm and 3pm where viewers are invited to "set the agenda".
Promoting the return 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 Blast 'Fake Podcast Studio' Vibe
The newly designed set, which replaces the previous pink-heavy decor with panelled walls and a neon sign, has become the primary target for disgruntled fans. One viewer joked on X, formerly Twitter, that "It looks like something Celebrity Big Brother would set up in the task room".
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 shift, 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," to which a follower bluntly replied, "Looks cheap and tacky."
The criticism was unrelenting, with one person asking, "Is there any reason why she just can’t use the Jeremy Vine / Storm studio?" and another sarcastically querying: "What in the B&M, crushed velvet, cheap podcasting s**** is this?"
High Stakes for the Veteran Presenter
According to a source speaking to The Sun, Feltz is acutely aware that "a lot is riding on the next few months." The insider stated: "Vanessa is putting everything she has into the show to make it a success. 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."
They added, however, that "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 programme. In March 2025, she memorably clapped back at a viewer who said he'd rather 'scoop his eyes out with a spoon' than watch, offering to post him a spoon to do the deed.
The presenter previously expressed sadness at having to leave ITV's 'This Morning' after 33 years to host the Channel 5 show, telling Metro she would have loved to do both. "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.
