Vanessa Feltz quit This Morning in March this year after 33 years to launch her own rival show on Channel 5
12:09, 26 Aug 2025Updated 12:09, 26 Aug 2025
(Image: CHANNEL 5)
Vanessa Feltz has had the last laugh after quitting This Morning. Her Channel 5 lunchtime show has been extended by bosses. While her former colleagues at ITV are facing brutal spending cuts with the budget for shows and staff, Vanessa has been granted more time on air.
The talk show Vanessa was originally planned to air for “six months”, but now the TV presenter has confirmed the programme will run for “eight months at least”.
Vanessa, 63, told the new issue of Woman’s Own magazine: “We’ve just had an extension.
“We were commissioned for six months, but we’re running about eight months at least, there’ll be a Christmas break, and then we’re very much hoping to come back in the new year. We’re thrilled.”
The show – which sees Vanessa have straight-talking discussions on relationships, parenting, gossip, fashion, and other topics with celebrity guests – launched in March.
However, one show that month only raked in 83,000 viewers – a big contrast to rival, ITV’s Loose Women, which drew in 686,000 people.
Vanessa Feltz has shared her delight in having her Channel 5 show extended (Image: Channel 5)
And it has been reported that bosses at Channel 5 were thinking of ways to “revamp” Vanessa to attract more viewers.
A TV Insider claimed to the magazine: “Bosses have been locked in crisis talks and have been planning ways to immediately revamp the programme if there is to be a chance that it could be saved.”
The show also raised attention when it became the centre of an Ofcom storm after guest Karen Millen said that feeding children past six months breast milk was ‘weird‘ and selfish.’ The designer’s comments led to more than 2000 people complaining with Millen apologising for her comments.
However, Vanessa is proving popular as the show took home the prestigious Talk Show gong at the National Reality TV Awards on July 30 – beating the likes of BBC’s The Graham Norton Show and ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show.
Reacting to the award, Vanessa told London Beautiful Life Media: “I’m beside myself!”
Ben Shepherd, Cat Deeley, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary pose up ahead of This Morning’s core presenting team returning from their summer break(Image: ITV)
Asked if she expected to win, the TV star continued: “Definitely not – you must be joking! The show’s only been going since the last week of March, it’s only July!
“And we’re up against all the greats – Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross, Alan Titchmarsh, absolutely everybody! So I was not. I was thinking – I had this knot in my stomach of nerves, and I was trying to give myself a sharp talking to like, ‘Don’t be silly, absolutely don’t stand a chance, the show’s brand-new, we’re never going to,’ and then here it is, we did!
“So, it’s one of those extraordinary moments. I’m shaking, and I’m thrilled to bits, and it’s lovely for the team, and it’s lovely for me, and it’s lovely for the audience. And I’m just delighted.”
Vanessa quit This Morning after 33 years in March this year.
Vanessa told the Daily Star newspaper: “I’ve been on ‘ This Morning ‘ since 1992. It’s been a long time . But I’m now doing my own show and I can’t do both.”
As she made her announcement, Vanessa praised the presenters and crew on This Morning for being “so lovely” about her decision.
She added: “When I told everyone I wouldn’t be able to do the show anymore, they were lovely about it. I heard from Alison Hammond and Holly Willoughby immediately and the bosses were charming. I’ll miss working with them all.”
BBC show Pebble Mill at One was an iconic magazine programme that ran throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s – and here’s what happened to the original faces of the daytime series
08:20, 05 Jul 2025Updated 08:20, 05 Jul 2025
Pebble Mill at One was the BBC’s much-loved daytime magazine show(Image: BBC)
They were the familiar faces that lit up Britain’s afternoons – the hosts, producers and personalities behind Pebble Mill at One, the BBC’s beloved daytime magazine programme that ran from 1972 to 1986. Whether they were interviewing celebrities, dispensing gardening advice or covering human interest stories from the famous foyer of the Birmingham studio, the Pebble Mill team became a fixture of the nation’s lunchtime telly.
But what happened to the show’s stars when the cameras stopped rolling?
From telly legends who went on to headline primetime shows, to behind-the-scenes figures who subtly influenced British broadcasting, many continued to leave their mark across radio, film and theatre. Others quietly stepped out of the spotlight – while some faced scandals that shook their public persona.
Here, we reminisce about the highs, lows and unexpected twists in the lives of Pebble Mill’s most recognisable faces. From gardening guru Marian Foster and broadcasting legend Alan Titchmarsh to the late Donny MacLeod and troubled DJ Dave Lee Travis, here’s what unfolded for the faces who once dominated daytime TV.
Dave Lee Travis
His career was later overshadowed by legal troubles(Image: Getty)
Dave Lee Travis was best known as the host of The Golden Oldie Picture Show and a DJ on BBC Radio 1. However, his career was later marred by legal issues.
In 2014, he was found guilty of indecently assaulting a woman working on The Mrs Merton Show in 1995 and was handed a three-month suspended sentence.
Though acquitted of several other accusations, the conviction resulted in the presenter’s episodes of Top of the Pops being no longer repeated by the BBC. Travis expressed being “mortified” and “really disappointed” by the verdict.
Despite the scandal, the now 80-year-old made a comeback to broadcasting. Throughout the years, Travis has presented programmes on various UK radio stations, including periods at Classic Gold, BBC Three Counties Radio, and United DJs Radio.
In 2025, he hosts a Sunday morning programme on Heritage Chart Radio.
Currently residing in Buckinghamshire with his Swedish wife Marianne, whom he wed in 1971, Travis enjoys photography and vintage automobiles.
Jock Gallagher
Gallagher joined the BBC in 1966 as a news producer(Image: BBC)
Gallagher began his BBC career in 1966 as a news producer and swiftly climbed the ladder, ultimately leading the Pebble Mill at One.
His influence extended beyond the programme’s triumph to nurturing celebrated BBC radio productions including The Archers, alongside programmes such as From the Grassroots and Offshore Britons.
Following decades of broadcasting service, Gallagher stepped down from the BBC in 2014.
He died in May 2025 aged 87 at Worcester Hospital. Former colleagues and admirers paid tribute, with one remembering: “I remember having a conversation with Jock in the late 1980s when I was trying to become a researcher, and fancied working on Radio 4 series.”
Donny MacLeod
Donny hosting the daytime programme from its very first episode in 1972(Image: BBC)
Donny was a beloved figure on television, known for his warmth, professionalism, and innovative approach, becoming a staple in homes as the leading presenter of his show and shaping daytime TV for countless viewers.
He was one of the original faces of Pebble Mill at One, hosting the show from its beginnings in 1972 until his sudden death in 1984.
His career was studded with standout moments, including major BBC specials like MacLeod’s Soviet Union and MacLeod’s America, and memorable interviews with prominent figures such as Edward Heath, Les Dawson, Terry Wogan, Dame Edna Everage, and Morecambe and Wise.
Touching tributes have continued to honour Donny’s legacy, with one colleague fondly remembering: “He was kind and ever prepared to lend this novice a helping hand… For 11 years Donny was Pebble Mill at One.”
Passing away at the young age of 52 from a heart attack, Donny is still deeply missed as a trailblazer in British daytime broadcasting.
David Attwood
David passed away on 21 March 2024 after a period of illness(Image: The Guardian)
Starting his career as an assistant floor manager, David Attwood climbed the ladder, contributing to series like Out of Town Boys (1978), Keep Smiling (1979), and the BAFTA-winning Boys from the Black Stuff (1982).
After completing the BBC Directors course in 1984, he quickly made a name for himself as a director.
Attwood’s portfolio includes directing All Together Now, Airbase, and the intense thriller Killing Time.
He later pursued a freelance career, directing critically acclaimed projects such as Wild West, Fidel, and Stuart: A Life Backwards, which starred Tom Hardy.
David sadly died on 21 March 2024 after battling illness.
Remembered by peers as a talented and considerate director, David left an indelible mark on British television drama over three decades.
Marian Foster
She made history as one of the first presenters on Top Gear(Image: BBC)
A multifaceted broadcaster, Marian Foster was celebrated for her engaging on-screen personality and a deep-rooted passion for horticulture, which became her signature.
She broke new ground as one of the original presenters on Top Gear and went on to host gardening segments for BBC Look North after her time at Pebble Mill.
Foster boasts an extensive career in radio, having presented shows on BBC Radio 2, Woman’s Hour on Radio 4, and currently hosts Garden Mania every Sunday on BBC Radio Newcastle and Radio Tees.
A familiar face at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, she has imparted her horticultural wisdom to audiences for more than three decades.
Her diverse work includes documenting the impact of Live Aid in Ethiopia and even sharing the stage with The Who for a rendition of Tommy.
In recent times, she has continued her role as a judge for Northumbria in Bloom, been featured by Radio Times, and remains an endearing presence in the North East.
Alan Titchmarsh
He currently hosts a Saturday afternoon show on Classic FM(Image: Getty)
Alan Titchmarsh rose to fame as the beloved presenter of Ground Force and later captivated viewers on ITV’s Love Your Garden, affirming his status as one of the nation’s favourite gardeners.
His natural charm extended beyond the garden, leading him to host various programmes including The Alan Titchmarsh Show, Popstar to Operastar, and Secrets of the National Trust.
In 2024, he made waves when North Korean TV censored his jeans, prompting Titchmarsh to quip that it gave him “a bit of street cred”.
The 76 year old father of two is a prolific author, having penned over 70 books, including best-selling novels, gardening guides, and memoirs.
He currently presents a Saturday afternoon programme on Classic FM and continues to write regularly for the press. Now in his mid-70s, he divides his time between his farmhouse in Hampshire and his residence on the Isle of Wight.
Titchmarsh was awarded an MBE in the 2000 New Year Honours for his contributions to horticulture and broadcasting, and was later promoted to CBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for his services to horticulture and charity.
But Britain’s favourite gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has one method that he swears by for combating the slimy slitherers.
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Warm wet weather means slugs are having a field day in our gardensCredit: Getty
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Alan Titchmarsh has one method he swears by for protecting his bloomsCredit: Alamy
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Copper tape creates a deterrent barrier that stops slugs getting your plantsCredit: Amazon
Writing in County Life, the 76-year-old spoke about his lifelong battle with the garden pests – and his resistance to the idea that ‘slugs are our friend’.
The Gardening Club star says he favours copper rings that sit around the base of the plant.
The copper rings are more expensive as they can be reused multiple times – they typically retail for between £25 and £30.
However, those who are greenfingered on a budget can instead invest in copper tape – which works in the same fashion and is available for only £4.99 on Amazon for a 25-metre roll.
Titchmarsh said: “The only things that have worked for me are those rings of copper that resemble a vicar’s clerical collar and which can be pushed into the ground around individual plants to discourage the molluscs from coming any closer.
“They are reputed (if kept clean) to impart a kind of electric shock to any slug or snail attempting to scale their dizzying height of 1in.”
How does copper tape work?
The copper tape works by imparting an electrical charge that gives the slug a small static shock.
The tape can be trimmed to size and wound around the lips of lower pots and planners – creating an uncrossable barrier.
Other slug deterrent methods
The veteran presenter has tried a number of other methods for tackling the slug menace over the years – with limited results.
Titchmarsh says he long ago stopped using slug pellets, which cause the slugs to convulse but also pose a poisoning threat to hedgehods and birds.
I’m a gardening expert and these are my top hacks to stop slugs taking over your garden as UK invasion worsens
The CBE has also tried various products that create a sharp or uncomfortable texture for the slugs to crawl over.
However, crushed eggshells, holly leaves, sharp grit, gravel and even sheep’s wool were all ‘at best, unreliable and more often than not totally ineffective’, according to Titchmarsh.
That leaves hand-picking them off plants by hand in the evening, a time-intensive procedure that also requires gloves if you want to avoid slimy hands.
Titchmarsh says he has had some sucess with pot feet, which only allow the more acrobatic slugs to gain access to your prized blooms.
Gardeners could be forgiven for feeling confused about how best to combat slugs given the array of techniques floated for dealing with this in recent years.
“We’ve been conditioned as a society to believe we must have gardens with straight edges, short lawns with pretty stripes and perfect borders with flowers constantly blooming.
But unruly hedgerows, abundance of tall wildflowers buzzing with insects, and bugs and slugs galore in flowerbeds is totally natural – and necessary.
I understand that your plants might be very precious to you, but we need slugs and snails. They provide food for all sorts of mammals, birds, slow worms, earthworms, insects – and they are part of the natural balance.
By removing them, we upset the ecosystem and can do a lot of harm – thrushes in particular thrive on them!
It is said British Gardeners use some 650 billion slug pellets per year! Please find a natural alternative – the poison from slug pellets enters the food chain and can kill hedgehogs, who consider slugs and snails as a tasty treat.
If you’re truly desperate, consider using Diatomaceous Earth – it is a naturally occurring compound approved for organic use, that can be used for pest control.
And while you’re at it, challenge yourself to grow “sacrificial plants”.
Sacrificial planting, commonly known as trap cropping, is the deliberate act of growing plants to attract pests. Pick a slugs favourite vegetable or ornamental plant for them to nibble on, and they will leave your more precious plants alone.”
The Repair Shop experts Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch, also known as the Teddy Bear Ladies, opened up about how they deal with emotional moments on the show
13:07, 08 Jun 2025Updated 13:07, 08 Jun 2025
The Repair Shop’s beloved Teddy Bear Ladies, Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch, chatted with Alan Titchmarsh about handling the show’s tear-jerking moments.
Amanda confessed that she often sheds tears away from the camera, believing that viewers wouldn’t appreciate seeing the experts getting teary on air.
She also revealed her tactic for controlling her emotions on set, which involves embracing guests after a reveal to help stifle her tears.
Alan sympathised, sharing his own challenges with emotional content: “I get told off often enough on this programme for losing it when I see a sentimental clip. What’s it like?”
Amanda gave a glimpse behind the scenes, mentioning: “There is always a stash hidden, so we can grab a tissue if we need one,” reports Gloucestershire Live.
Amanda said they cry off camera as it doesn’t make good TV
Acknowledging the intensity of their work, she added, “It is so emotional,” and noted that the production team limits showing the experts’ emotional reactions because “I think they keep the emotional clips of us to a minimum because it doesn’t make good TV if we are all blubbing. It can get really emotional in that barn.”
After watching a particularly poignant segment from the show, Alan enquired how they maintain composure during such reveals.
Amanda explained her approach: “That’s why I tend to shuffle around to give her a bit of a hug because it gives me something to focus on.”
Julie and Amanda on Love Your Weekend
Julie admitted her vulnerability, saying: “You could see I was about to lose it, I think it was quite clear.”
“It is hard,” Amanda continued, “But we are quite fortunate. We kind of play off each other, so usually, different things trigger us.”
She concluded by highlighting their supportive dynamic: “So one will sense that the other one is starting to go, and will kind of take over the conversation.”
Julie and Amanda have been fixtures on The Repair Shop since its inception in 2017. Despite always being seen together, they’re not family but rather close mates with a shared passion for toy restoration.
Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh is available to watch on ITVX.
