Former BBC newsreader Jan Leeming has come under fire for her comments about Black, Asian and minority ethnic people amid her feud with Charlene White.
Leeming, 84, first took aim at ITV News presenter Charlene White, 46, accusing her of being “condescending” and questioning whether she can “hack it as a newsreader”.
White, who has fronted ITV News since 2008 and is also a guest host on Loose Women, hit back to describe the remarks as “disrespectful”.
Leeming has now doubled down on her comments, claiming it is “far easier for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people to get ahead”.
“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,” the former I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestant said.
“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 [White].”
Critics hit out at her post, with one writing to White: “I am completely appalled by that presenter’s comments. I suppose I have ‘followed’ your career since the start, and I have always had the highest regard for your professionalism and, particularly, the manner in which you relate to the audience. I can’t understand it.”
Another said directly to Leeming: “It’s is very disappointing to read your post. Please review your information regarding BAME or UKME people - no it’s not easier.
“In every single statistic it is proven that Black people have to try significantly harder to be taken seriously in any career.”
Another sarcastically asked Leeming: “And you’re basing your view that it’s easier for ‘BAME’ people to get ahead on what? Your experiences as a black woman?”
Leeming, who worked as a BBC presenter between 1969 and 1987, also responded to a user referencing the Cambridge professor Jason Arday, who recently resigned after being at the centre of a plagiarism row.
Very 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
She posted: “That is an extreme case. But if one did a headcount in Television I think one might find a disproportionate ratio of BAME people relevant to their overall proportion in the population. Same goes for female representation. Only saying.”
Leeming then re-shared a fan post that read: “[Your apology] will fall on deaf ears Jan. The constantly offended and entitled ‘black’ excuse has been used.”
She has since announced she is quitting social media after facing trolling. The Standard has contacted Leeming’s representative for comment.
Leeming started the furore by initially posting on X: “Wish ITV's Charlene would stop addressing us as if we were children. 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 Mary Nightingale.”
White responded: “Very 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.”
Leeming previously made headlines for claiming she no longer gets work because of her received pronunciation accent.
The broadcaster joked in 2024 that she doesn’t “tick modern boxes” on account of her voice and that the English language was “being mangled” on television.
Rsponding to a follower who said she'd be a good fit for voiceover roles, the ex-journalist wrote: "Thank you but you are a lone voice and I am small fry. I'm old, speak RP English and don't tick the PC boxes. Have given up even trying."
Leeming said that that the decline of well-spoken speech was "gathering pace", adding: "[I] totally accept accents unless they are so pronounced the speaker is unintelligible to the masses outside their region."
She released her autobiography in 2003 and participated in I'm a Celebrity in 2006.
