Vanessa Feltz apologises after huge backlash over remarks on Coeliac disease
Vanessa Feltz has issued a sincere apology after sparking fury by sharing views about a health issue that many deemed ‘irresponsible’.
The flames of controversy were ignited on Monday morning when 61-year-old Vanessa appeared on ITV’s This Morning to feature during a call in segment where Coeliac disease was discussed - only for her to be seared by the heated response from angry viewers. During the segment, a viewer named Alison asked for some advice about enduring Christmas Dinner with a family member that suffered from Coeliac disease - a condition where the body reacts adversely to gluten, prompting the immune system to attack the body - and meaning everyone was being asked to sit through a gluten-free meal as a result.
Vanessa herself reacted to the caller to offer her own advice, but undermined the medical condition as she argued: “She's treating Coeliac disease as if it's a kind of fatal, potentially fatal peanut allergy and that they can't have anything with gluten in the house, which is completely unreasonable.”
While show host Josie Gibson, 38, tried to take a more serious tone and warned of the dangers to those with Coeliac disease of the risks of cross contamination with gluten, Vanessa stuck to her guns and advised the caller to take their own food to the dinner, not to stay too long, but also not to fall out over the issue. Her comments were universally slammed by viewers who took to social media to blast the star.
Vanessa Feltz has apologised for controversy she caused on This Morning on Monday (ITV)Appearing on TalkTV on Tuesday, however, Vanessa highlighted the incident, commented on the error of her ways, and offered a full apology. She said: “I found myself at the centre of a social media storm this week… I said what I said there, but then I added that you should go in the spirit of Christmas and enjoy a gluten free meal anyway. I did not suggest that they put the coeliac in harm's way nor did I intend to show in any shape of form any disrespect to any one with coeliac disease.”
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She continued: “I am astounded by the reaction and horrified that anyone is upset. I don't think that I said anything wrong but if anyone is upset that I am very sorry.”
Vanessa added: "All I ever want is clarity and compassion and I am certainly not trying to play down coeliac disease. The last thing I wanted to do was upset anyone and I hope that I have made amends."
Her apology comes after ITV were forced to issue an apology on behalf of This Morning as complaints against Vanessa, and by extension the show, reached deafening levels. Addressing the furore on Tuesday morning, Craig Doyle asked Dr Zoe to provide some guidance on Coeliac disease after the Christmas dinner phone in sparked outrage.
Dr Zoe spoke about the condition in detail and informed viewers that it's an auto immune condition and not an allergy. And she added that this is why people may have to be more considerate about what they eat at Christmas to accommodate someone with the condition.
The reaction came after the charity Coeliac UK hit out at the show, stating via X/Twitter: "Today on ITV's @thismorning, coeliac disease was discussed during a phone in segment on the show. We are deeply concerned about the content and advice given to a caller attending a Christmas family event where all of the food will be gluten free to protect the health of a person with coeliac disease.
"We are actively following up with @ITV. You can read our open letter in the comments below, and will share any responses we receive. In the meantime we ask you to contact This Morning to ask them to give an apology to our gluten free community on air for this damaging and inaccurate information, and to engage with Coeliac UK to ensure their information is accurate in future."
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