This Morning viewers praised Vanessa Feltz as she underwent a mammogram live on the show, with the broadcaster encouraging others to ensure they attend screenings when invited
Throngs of This Morning enthusiasts have taken to social media to heap praise on Vanessa Feltz for her audacious live mammogram on the programme. In Monday 24 February’s segment, it was presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley who broke the news that show stalwart Vanessa would be sharing her mammogram experience with the audience – a crucial breast cancer screening x-ray.
“Fair play to Vanessa for doing this, it’s a little uncomfortable (literally for a few seconds) but not painful, and can save your life!” posted one impressed viewer on X, while another shared: “Well done to Vanessa!!! Love that woman!” Another supporter chimed in: “Good on Vanessa for doing this live,” and yet another celebrated her with: “A big cheer for the great Vanessa Feltz for having a mammogram live on air, brilliant. She’s smiling but it’s a brave thing to do live.”
Ben and Cat were quick to join the chorus of accolades, lauding her as “brilliant” for being open about such a personal matter on national television.
Michelle Kane, Director of Screening and Vaccination at NHS England, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Vanessa for raising the vital importance of breast screening on national TV.
“It’s fantastic that she took the time to share her experience so openly with viewers and talk directly to women about why breast screening can save lives, and what they can expect when they go for their appointment.
“The NHS launched a new national campaign earlier this month to encourage more women to attend breast screening when invited, and if you are worried about any symptoms in the meantime then please visit your GP.”
Vanessa has long been a vocal advocate for cancer awareness, spurred on by her mother’s battle with the disease. After her mother’s passing at just 57 years old in 1995 due to an aggressively late-diagnosed endometrial cancer, Vanessa, whose mother was diagnosed too late by doctors in 2023, has consistently urged others to remain vigilant for signs of cancer.
“My mother was suddenly getting the most tremendous abdominal pain but only sporadically and only sometimes and very unpredictably,” she told Talk TV in 2023. “It was incredibly painful when it happened and she went from doctor to doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist and they all pretty much did that pat her on the head thing saying, you know, ‘Are you neurotic? Are you looking for attention? Is it the menopause?’ And it turned out to be endometrial cancer and she died at the age of 57,” reports the Mirror.
In other news, Vanessa’s former flame Ben Ofoedu recently announced his engagement to a new love interest after being unfaithful to the presenter, popping the question just before Valentine’s Day.
Ben introduced his new beau, Vanessa Brown, on Instagram earlier this year, with a source revealing that she was taken aback by the proposal. “Vanessa was totally caught off guard. They were strolling through the park, reminiscing about Elf, when Ben suddenly proposed. It was incredibly touching – there were happy tears, laughter, and of course, an immediate ‘yes!'”
Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid had to pause the show today to correct a mistake regarding Ben Shephard’s golf handicap. The host chuckled as she relayed: “Ben Shephard has got in touch. ‘I expect a correction. I play golf off seven, not 15 – which has taken a lot of pain and tears and swearing. I am fuming downstairs,’ says Ben.”
Lorraine Kelly, joining the GMB team to discuss her forthcoming programme, quizzed: “Was that when you were talking to Anton Du Beke?” Richard Arnold playfully responded: “Yes. Don’t sue us.”