An explosive row has erupted on social media between two of the most recognisable faces in the world of newsreading.
Retired BBC newsreader Jan Leeming, 84, has come under fire for publicly criticising Charlene White, 46, over her presenting style.
Ms White is a familiar face on ITV News while also lending her expertise to the daytime panel show Loose Women. Ms Leeming, meanwhile, was arguably best known for her work on the BBC’s Woman’s Hour.
The spat began when Ms Leeming took to X to brand Ms White’s newsreading style as “condescending”.
Jan Leeming has come under fire for criticising Charlene White
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GETTY
“Wish ITV’s Charlene would stop addressing us as if we were children,” the 84-year-old penned in an X post.
“She has such a condescending style. Don’t know whether or not she is an excellent journalist but don’t think she hacks it as a newsreader. It may look an easy job but not all are as good as @nightingaleitv.” (sic)
Ms White decided to respond directly to Ms Leeming’s scathing critique, suggesting her criticism was outdated.
“Very surprising to see a presenter I admired as a kid deciding to slate me on social media,” Ms White’s retort began.
Charlene White is a familiar face on ITV
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ITVVery surprising to see a presenter I admired as a kid deciding to slate me on social media. In an industry where women, especially black women, have had to work incredibly hard to get ahead, this type of disrespect from a fellow female journo feels like s’thing from a bygone era https://t.co/X94b36pVLy
— Charlene White (@CharleneWhite) August 11, 2026
“In an industry where women, especially black women, have had to work incredibly hard to get ahead, this type of disrespect from a fellow female journo feels like s’thing from a bygone era.” (sic)
Ms Leeming stood firm, however: “I said I didn’t know how good you are as a journalist but I find your delivery condescending. It has nothing to do with colour.
“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.”
Ms Leeming soon found herself on the result of a torrent of abuse as Ms White’s fans rallied around the ITV star.
Explaining her stance further, Ms Leeming replied to one X user: “Charlene has earned her spurs as a journalist but that doesn’t make her a good presenter. I am not and never was a journalist. I was a presenter/interviewer.”
However, Ms Leeming eventually admitted she’d wished she’d remained quiet as the vitriol of abuse became too much.
Responding to the backlash, Ms Leeming attempted to calm the situation: “I was only making a professional comment and should not have done. Should have kept my opinion to myself.
“I have been duly chastised and received a lot of nasty and hurtful invective. There is no jealousy as suggested- my career was over years ago.”
Jan Leeming on I’m A Celebrity in 2006
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PA
She reiterated: “I made a comment. I should have kept my thoughts to myself. I’ve now been on receiving end of far more nastiness and personal abuse than was warranted by making a comment on style. To bring my personal life into the equation was below the belt.”
And in the end, Ms Leeming decided to take a break from the social media platform.
“Won’t be using account for next few days. Was unwise to make a comment about style but don’t believe it warranted vile abuse,” she typed.
“Believe me I received far worse criticism and nastiness from, mostly female, journalists in my heyday.”
Won’t be using account for next few days. Was unwise to make a comment about style but don’t believe it warranted vile abuse. Believe me I received far worse criticism and nastiness from, mostly female, journalists in my heyday.
— Jan Leeming (@Jan_Leeming) August 12, 2026
Ms White’s broadcasting career spans more than two decades, beginning at the BBC where she worked across BBC News, Look East and 5Live before joining ITN in 2008.
She made history in April 2014 when she became the first Black woman to present ITV News At Ten, and has since become a regular host on Loose Women following Andrea McLean’s departure.
Ms White has previously spoken about the importance of diversity in the media. “All views matter, all opinions matter. That’s the only way the industry can survive,” she told the Mirror.
As well as Woman’s Hour, Ms Leeming also read the news between 1980 and 1987.