Vanessa Feltz Describes Gender Bias During Her ITV Talk Show Era
Vanessa Feltz, a prominent British broadcaster, recently disclosed that she did not have any input into her own talk show when it launched on ITV in the 1990s due to sexist attitudes. According to Feltz, 62, the only decision she was permitted to make when the show "Vanessa" debuted in 1994 was the color of her dressing room.
Feltz alleged that male producers frequently dismissed her opinions, addressing her with patronizing terms like "pet" and "sweetie," while even patting her on the head. Despite being the face and name of the program, she was excluded from decision-making processes and discussions about the show’s content and production team.
The show, which aimed to replicate the style of US talk shows, ran for four years on ITV. Feltz later moved to the BBC, hosting "The Vanessa Show" under a reported £2.7 million deal. However, the show was short-lived and cancelled amidst a scandal over the use of paid actors as guests.
Reflecting on the #MeToo movement, Feltz noted that while significant strides have been made towards gender equality in the workplace, much progress is still needed. She emphasized that women remain side-lined and often face unequal pay and opportunities compared to their male counterparts.
Feltz continues her broadcasting career with LBC after stepping down from her BBC Radio shows in 2022. ITV has not commented on her recent revelations.