The presenter who faced 2,000 complaints for dismissing coeliac disease
In short: In 2024, a controversial remark about gluten-free diets sparked a massive backlash. While discussing a family Christmas dinner on This Morning, Vanessa Feltz described strict dietary requirements for coeliac disease as "completely unreasonable," leading to over 2,000 formal complaints to Ofcom.
The controversy arose when a viewer shared how their mother-in-law insisted on a strictly gluten-free household during Christmas. Feltz compared the necessity of avoiding gluten to a potentially fatal peanut allergy, arguing that such strictness was unreasonable. This sparked significant criticism, prompting a formal apology from the presenter. The presenter later expressed regret for these comments. This incident occurred during her tenure on the popular daytime programme This Morning.
Feltz's career has been marked by both high-profile success and intense tabloid scrutiny. In 2019, the BBC Annual Report identified her as one of three women among the ten highest-paid presenters, earning a salary of £355,000. Her broadcasting career spans decades, including long stints on BBC Radio 2 and various ITV chat shows. She previously hosted the BBC Radio 2 Early Breakfast Show for ten years. Her media presence also includes hosting various segments on The Big Breakfast.
Beyond the screen, Feltz has been open about her health journey. In 2010, she underwent a gastric band operation. However, by 2019, the band had become embedded in her liver, necessitating its removal. Following this, she underwent gastric bypass surgery, which resulted in significant weight loss. The medical procedure in 2019 was required because the previous device had lodged in her liver. This surgery helped her achieve substantial weight reduction.
Her professional life has also seen dramatic shifts. In 1998, she was reportedly sacked by Anglia Television following demands for a salary increase to £2.75 million. More recently, her Channel 5 revival of 'Vanessa' was axed in June 2026 due to poor viewership and issues with prank callers. Her earlier career included a stint as a columnist for The Jewish Chronicle. She also served as a magistrate for many years.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Vanessa Feltz
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