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Retired television newsreader Jan Leeming has criticised ITV's Charlene White, saying she's condescending and doesn't hack it as a newsreader.

Leeming, 84, worked as a BBC presenter between 1969 and 1987 – including a stint as a newsreader from 1980.

Recently the broadcaster, who has also appeared on a string of reality shows including I'm A Celeb, has taken to criticising the new generation of presenters.

In a recent post on X, Leeming took aim at Charlene, 46, who has fronted ITV News since 2008, and been a guest host on Loose Women since 2020.

Leeming said: '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.'

Retired television newsreader Jan Leeming has criticised ITV's Charlene White , saying she's condescending and doesn't hack it as a newsreader

She also stated: 'One conveys emotion by tone of voice NOT by heavily stressing lots of words.'

In another tweet, Leeming added of Charlene's ITV News colleague: 'I also like Lucrezia Millarini. They both dress appropriately.'

When it was pointed out to Leeming that White is also a Loose Women presenter, she replied: 'Never watched it.'

Last year Leeming took a swipe at the current generation of newsreaders in general, criticising their pronunciation, mumbled speech and heavy accents.

She wrote on X: 'Am I just showing my age being so picky, but surely a national newsreader should be aware of correct pronunciation.

'Just heard 'grievious' twice from an ITV newsreader. The word is grievous. The other is mischievious - it's mischievous - three syllables not four.

'We had spelling tests every week. I suppose today one doesn't have to bother. AI and predictive texting will do it all for you.

'You still have to speak with correct pronunciation and clarity. Have given up on mumbled speech and heavy accents and hope I'll get the gist eventually.

In a new post on X, Lemming took arim at Charlene, 46, who has fronted ITV News since 2008, and been a guest host of Loose Women since 2020

Leeming said: 'Wish ITV's Charlene would stop addressing us as if we were children. She has such a condescending style'

''Ss' for the presenters and newsreaders who cannot pronounce fifth and sixth - even some of my favourites. Oh, don't forget February and jewellery.

'If you aren't taught and corrected, then you perpetuate the incorrect pronunciation. And the ubiquitous 'like' used every few words by a large proportion of the young. It is lazy.'

Leeming has also used her X account to criticise 21st century parenting, sparking a fierce debate with one post in February

The five-time married star, who has one son with her third husband, launched an attack against families bringing young children into upmarket restaurants.

Leeming told how she went to a branch of The Pig in the village of Bridge in Kent, to treat a friend to a birthday dinner.

She posted to the site: 'Perhaps this shows my age. I took a friend as a birthday present to lunch at the Pig at Bridge - not inexpensive.

'Lovely ambiance - slightly spoiled by a screaming child at lunch. When I paid and remonstrated, was treated as though I were the one at fault.'

She followed up by saying: 'Don’t think a traditional pub is the place for children. Also in the evening surely young children should be in bed. Cost of baby sitting should be factored into cost of the outing.'

Leeming added: 'When paying the receptionist, she treated me as though I was out of order.

'She defended parents bringing children to the restaurant - there were three. If you can afford to eat there, get a babysitter!'