Myleene Klass hits out at Celebs Go Dating agents over treatment of Vanessa Feltz and accuses them of ‘gaslighting’ her
MYLEENE Klass has slammed the Celeb Go Dating experts over their treatment of her good friend Vanessa Feltz – accusing them of “gaslighting her” on the E4 show.
The I’m A Celeb star, 45, was quick to defend the TalkTV host, 61, after she was put in a difficult position during a recent date.
Vanessa was unhappy about her suitor – who she described as a “short and horny touring musician”.
Anna suggested she had been triggered by her previous relationship with singer Ben Ofoedu – who cheated on her after 17 years together – telling Paul: “But that does not excuse the way she spoke to you.”
But TV and radio star Myleene raced to back her friend up – saying Vanessa was put in a “vulnerable” position that no person should be placed in.
Sharing a photo of Vanessa looking uncomfortable on the dating show, Myleene said: “Gaslighting (noun); a form of emotional abuse that involves intentionally manipulating or distorting the truth to instil self-doubt in someone.”
Myleene hit out at the producers for putting Vanessa on a date with a “near identical reminder” of the person who “betrayed” her trust.
This Morning star Vanessa split from the Phats & Small singer Ben Ofoedu, 51, earlier this year after discovering he had been unfaitful when her daughter received a message from his mistress.
Myleene continued: “Vanessa Feltz is my dear friend. I’ve known this beautiful soul for years.
“I fully appreciate I’m playing straight into the shows intentions here, but if you remain silent you become part of the wider problem, so I stand by V.
“V is smart, kind and a legend of a woman both professionally and personally.
“Many are intimidated in her presence, she is after all a wordsmith and refreshingly bright. She is also human.
“The agency’ put her in a vulnerable position that NO person, famous or not, should intentionally be placed.
“I think we can all agree with the wealth of experience, information, and psychologists to hand, they knew exactly what effect placing a SEEMINGLY near identical reminder of the person who had betrayed and abused her trust, heart and purse would have on her.
“BTW the date was just as much their pawn as the quasi love Gods toyed with all involved.
“We’ve all been in positions where people have taken advantage of us but to see V misrepresented and gas lit in this way isn’t ok especially after she bravely picked herself up and is getting back out there giving hope to many.
“V, many who have been blindsided stand behind you for your sheer bravery.
“Watching the agents gaslight you has made for uncomfortable viewing
“What should be lighthearted fun has taken a rather machiavellian turn.
“All may be fair in love and war after all but you will win in the end.”
Vanessa walked off set to confront Paul and Anna, telling them: “Well, this is not for me, is it, because it’s an identikit of a relationship I’ve just come out of.
“So this is a gentleman who is charming, handsome who is in a band who tours. The last thing I want is some horny musician. I’ve had that.”
Anna pointed out she sounded closed off – pushing Vanessa to rant: “I am 100 per cent closed off and there is nothing wrong with that.
“I don’t wish to be corrected on that.”
Paul said: “We’re just trying to dissect what we’ve heard.”
Vanessa angrily replied: “Well, it’s not hard to dissect, I’ve explained it clearly to you.
“You should understand me the first time I say it because I’ve said it with the utmost clarity.”
Paul interjected adding: “Hold on, hold on…
“I love you Vanessa, but you’re coming for me.”
Vanessa attempted to argue back before Paul insisted: “I feel like you just came for me and I’ve been completely respectful to you. You just shut me down.
“You’re doing to me what you’ve just done to him. You’ve dismissed him off of the profile.
“It’s ok you may never see him again, but he should not have to feel that way.”
Vanessa has been flooded with support from fans who also thought she had been unfairly gaslighted.
One person wrote: “The agents are gaslighting her for good television, I admire Vanessa for speaking her mind, you go girl.”
Another posted: “Older women know their own mind, they’ve had experience and she’s heartbroken. She specifically told them what type of person she needs right now and they’re definitely not listening to her.”
A third commented: “Women at her age know what they want and there’s nothing wrong with that.”