Jan Leeming Quits Social Media After Fiery Row With ITV’s Charlene White

Jan Leeming Exits X After Online Backlash Over Charlene White Critique

Veteran broadcaster Jan Leeming quit social media after facing severe online backlash. The departure followed her public criticism of ITV News presenter Charlene White and her claim that modern professional fields offer easier advancement for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic individuals.

Leeming, 84, published a series of posts on X targeting White, 46. Leeming criticized the broadcaster’s delivery style, writing that she found White condescending and stating that she did not hack it as a newsreader. She also compared White unfavorably to Mary Nightingale.

The Clash on X and the Apology

White responded on the platform late Tuesday evening. She expressed surprise that a presenter she admired during childhood would publicly criticize her in a manner she felt belonged to a bygone era.

As the exchange intensified on X, Leeming replied to the criticism by asserting that professional advancement has become more accessible for minority groups.

Actually I believe it is far easier these days for BAME people to get ahead in all walks of life. It was only an opinion and my apologies to you, Leeming wrote.

Demographic Arguments and Account Pause

Leeming later addressed user commentary regarding academic appointments. She maintained her stance that media demographics reflect disproportionate representation relative to the general population, though she acknowledged that she should have kept her thoughts to herself.

By Wednesday morning, the former BBC newsreader announced she would pause using her account for several days. She cited unwarranted personal abuse and nastiness, noting that the criticism crossed boundaries by targeting her personal life.

Broadcasting Background and Career Context

Leeming worked as a BBC presenter from 1969 to 1987, which included a stint as a newsreader starting in 1980. In recent years, the former television personality, who also appeared on reality television programs including I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, has taken to criticising the new generation of presenters.

White has fronted ITV News since 2008 and expanded her television presence by joining the panel of ITV’s daytime talk show Loose Women as a guest host beginning in 2020. Following the exchange, Leeming maintained that while White has earned her spurs as a journalist, those qualifications do not necessarily translate to effective news presentation style, while also lamenting the state of online discourse and public commentary restrictions on social media platforms.