Vanessa Feltz’s new Channel 5 show has got off to a rocky start but the former This Morning contributor is hoping she can steal some viewers from rival show Loose Women

Vanessa Feltz is hoping she can gain some more viewers on her Channel 5 show (Image: Channel 5)

Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz hopes she can poach some loyal Loose Women viewers and capitalise on a recent schedule shake-up. The star recently launched an eponymous TV show on Channel 5 after giving up a 33-year career on ITV daytime programme This Morning.

Vanessa got off to an underwhelming start with its debut show on Monday, with just 83,000 viewers watching the midday offering on Channel 5. However, the show could have experience a boost today thanks to rival Loose Women being taken off air to make space for Rachel Reeves delivering the spring statement.

“I think there are plenty of viewers to go round. For every viewer who is immersed in This Morning, there’s somebody else who’s very happily watching Jeremy Vine and Storm Huntley,” Vanessa recently admitted.

“It’s not really either-or. I’m sort of hoping that Loose Women viewers might like a little holiday from them, maybe just for a couple of days or so! I hope that they’ll be curious and lively-minded and switch over to have a look at me – at least to see what’s going on. And if they enjoy it, they can join me for lunch and stick around for the party.”

Vanessa Feltz launched her Channel 5 show on Monday

Speaking exclusively to Heart Bingo, Vanessa went on to explain: “I hope they know that if it’s me, at least it’s honest, because I’m not going to waste my time talking about anything that isn’t. I just cannot be bothered with that at all. And if I think my guests aren’t being honest, I’ll certainly pull them up on it.

“I’m not going to try and expose anybody or anything like that or confront anyone, but I want to have real conversations about real things, not dressed up the way people present life on social media. Do I feel in a passionate rivalry with anybody? No, I don’t. Because, as I say, I think it’s a cake that can be sliced up in many ways. Lots of the Loose Women are my very dear friends.”

Vanessa’s much-anticipated entry into the world of daytime TV proved to be less than stellar, as her maiden show witnessed disappointingly low viewer figures. Despite leaving This Morning after 33 years, Vanessa’s new venture on Channel 5 this Monday didn’t capture audiences, with a mere 83,000 viewers for the opening episode.

Helen Flanagan appeared on first offering of Vanessa

The Vanessa chat show failed to live up to competitor ratings; Storm Huntley’s slot before hers pulled in almost double with 154,000 viewers, while Home and Away, right after, was enjoyed by 157,000 pairs of eyes. In stark contrast, Loose Women reeled in a strong 686,000 viewership at the same time.

Vanessa might possibly be eyeing up a return to This Morning if viewing figures don’t improve over time. Speaking to Heart Bingo, the veteran broadcaster admitted she will miss being on the ITV show “terribly” and, if it were possible, would have continued doing both programmes.

“It is emotional leaving This Morning—I absolutely love that show,” she said. “When I first did it in 1992, I was just 30, and I’ve been on that show all these years, and I’ve never been bored by it. I think it’s a very clever show, I think it’s very warm and inviting, and I think it’s got something for everyone.”

“I love the fashion, I like the cooking—I just enjoy it very much indeed. I really do consider the team and crew at This Morning my actual friends.

“I really will miss This Morning terribly, but I obviously understand why I can’t do both at once. But knowing me, I would have squeezed in a quick This Morning and then rushed over on the back of a bike to do my own show on Channel 5. I would have been perfectly comfortable doing that, but I don’t think it’s considered best practise to go from one show to another on different channels.”