Vanessa Feltz has criticised the BBC's latest move to attract younger viewers to Strictly Come Dancing, calling the signing of five unknown professionals, Love Island winner Cach Mercer, and Kim Kardashian's hairdresser evidence that 'nothing is sacred'.
Strictly signings draw ire
In a column for the BBC, Feltz wrote that the programme has 'signed five unknown professionals who have been posing, bare washboard bellies to the fore, looking as if they are auditioning for a K-pop band' and also engaged Love Island winner Cach Mercer and Kim Kardashian's hairdresser. 'Why don't bosses get it? Strictly is for oldies, babies and all dance lovers in between,' she said.
Feltz argued that older viewers want recognisable names: 'Give we seniors a Lulu or a Glo Hunniford and we make sure our grandchildren get behind them. We are still channelling the great Len Goodman. We want names we recognise dancing with charm and elegance, not half naked teens gyrating like pole dancers who've mislaid their poles.'
Carly Simon's health and Sarah Ferguson's inheritance
Feltz also briefly mentioned that Carly Simon has announced a tragic Parkinson's diagnosis and cancer battle. On Sarah Ferguson, she reported that the former duchess may receive a bequest from her deceased ex, Paddy McNally, a former F1 hospitality multimillionaire who died last week at 88. McNally, who offered Ferguson sanctuary despite her association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, is thought to have left her a sizeable cash legacy, likely in a trust to pay an annuity.
Personal reflections and duvet pals
Writing about her new YouTube show At Home, with Vanessa, Feltz said she is having her front room turned into a studio with 15 builders working. A fellow columnist wished her luck but noted that 'now you're 64 and single, it's harder to entice anyone into your bedroom.' Feltz responded: 'Surprisingly, I haven't found any shortage of chaps keen to join me beneath the duvet for a spot of slap and tickle. Interestingly, would be contenders have ranged from early 30s to mid 70s.' She added that she wants more than a meaningless encounter but reassured readers that 'generous offers to engage me in the hurly burly of the chaise longue continue in abundance.'
Education Secretary's gaffe
Feltz took aim at Education Secretary Lucy Powell, who claimed to have been the only pupil at her Catholic sixth form college to make it to Oxford – a claim Feltz said is false. Powell also said she felt like a 'duck out of water' at Somerville College. Feltz pointed out that the correct phrase is 'a fish out of water', asking: 'If Powell doesn't know her ducks from her fish, how can she possibly have all the former in a row?'
Hosepipe ban fury
Finally, Feltz addressed another hosepipe ban, noting callers to her LBC show described unrepaired leaks wasting gallons of water and water companies too disorganised to stem the flow. 'We are keen to save water but livid about being corralled into another ban by the sheer incompetence of water regulators Ofwat,' she wrote, adding that these businesses have a monopoly on a product we cannot survive without and should be able to maintain pipes.
