Vanessa Feltz is “effervescent with joy” to have a new show on TalkTV.
Vanessa Feltz is joining TalkTV
The former BBC Radio 2 host is planning to show off her “hidden side” as she replaces Jeremy Kyle - who is expected to take on a new primetime slot later in the year - on the 4pm and 7pm slot on the new channel, which features the likes of Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne.
The 60-year-old broadcaster said: "The allure of a retirement reclining on a chaise longue while the fragrant Ben peeled me a grape was fleeting. While there are politicians to be tackled, fat cats to be flattened, scams to expose and Lovely Listeners to champion it’s my mission to breathe fire into the microphone. After an elegant sojourn at the BBC I am effervescent with joy at the invitation to unleash my hitherto hidden side on Talk TV.
“I will relish full-throttled debate and the chance to have a personal passionate point of view at last. Even better, I’ll be at the reins of Drivetime. Lord what luxury! After years of 3.30 am starts I’ll have a show without an alarm clock involved. If I terrified Mayor Sadiq Khan so acutely he never dared set foot in my studio on almost no sleep, tune in to see what I can achieve on a full eight hours shut-eye."
Vanessa added that she will be a contributor the 'The Talk' a few times a week after she makes her debut on the network next month.
She said: “I’ll be on ‘The Talk’ at 9pm two-three nights a week too. Times have never been tougher and neither have I. See you there 4pm from Monday September 5th and have a good lunch first. You’re going to need the calories!”
Channel bosses have praised Vanessa as a “national treasure”.
Scott Taunton, News UK’s president of broadcasting said: “Vanessa Feltz is not only a world-class broadcaster, she’s also a national treasure. I’m delighted that she is joining the brilliant talent roster at TalkTV. With no alarm clock needed, I’m sure our viewers and listeners will be getting the full force of Feltz!”
Last week, Vanessa wished an emotional goodbye to her faithful Radio 2 listeners, saying she had “been honoured to share the small hours with you”.
She added: "I'm absolutely heartbroken to be leaving as I know you can tell, and I will miss you every day with all my heart."
On her BBC Radio London Show later in the day, she continued her teary farewells to the national broadcaster’s audience.
Vanessa said: "Lovely listener, we are woven into the DNA of one another's lives in a very special way."
Tagged in Jeremy Kyle Vanessa Feltz Piers Morgan