ITV This Morning legend quits ITV show after 33 years as she launches rival

Vanessa Feltz has announced her departure from This Morning after a 33-year stint. The 63-year-old broadcaster, who has been a regular on the ITV morning show, is stepping down due to her commitment to her new Channel 5 programme, Vanessa, set to air on 24 March at 12.45pm.

The show is expected to compete with ITV's flagship morning show, currently hosted by Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard.

Speaking to the Daily Star newspaper, Vanessa said: "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."

She expressed gratitude for the support she received from the This Morning team when she announced her decision, reports the Mirror.

She continued: "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."

Reflecting on her time on the show, Vanessa shared: "I have learned lots of stuff on This Morning.

"When I first did it, I had never been on TV before. I didn't know what was going on. I was bamboozled but they gave me a contract."

Vanessa also expressed her excitement about her upcoming talk show, saying: "This is a fantastic opportunity and I couldn't be more excited. It feels marvellous."

She is set to return to daytime television after unveiling her new Channel 5 show earlier this month. She released a statement regarding her latest venture, which read: "I cannot wait to get started on this sparkling adventure with Channel 5. This show is all about YOU – your stories, your opinions, your emotions, and your triumphs. Television's never been so real, honest, or unpredictable.

"Life isn't perfect, so let's not pretend it is – let's help each other out, have a giggle, and make every show a conversation worth having so kick off your shoes and come and join me for lunch, relax with a bit of me time and let's have a ball!"

The programme will cover topics including celebrities, gossip, fashion, relationships and parenting. Channel 5’s commissioning editor, Federico Ruiz, expressed excitement about having signed Vanessa, an award-winning broadcaster, to the channel’s daytime lineup.

He stated: “Our audience love her, and there is nobody better for viewers to spend their lunchtimes with every single weekday. ”

Ian Rumsey, ITN's managing director of content, added: "Vanessa defined the genre with her first talk show and this new slot on Channel 5 is a brilliant and unique opportunity to work with one of the pioneers of talk shows, and take all that talent, energy and experience to create a fresh twist to daytime chat."

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.