Jan Leeming isn’t just any former newsreader—she’s someone who’s seen the evolution of British television up close, having joined the BBC back in 1990, just a year after Margaret Thatcher took office.
Now, at 83, she’s speaking out, sharing some blunt thoughts about the way today’s newsreaders speak.
And let’s just say, she’s not holding back.
Why Pronunciation Still Matters, According to Jan Leeming
Jan recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her frustration about how some national newsreaders pronounce words incorrectly or mumble through their reports.
She pointed out examples like hearing “grievious” instead of “grievous” and “mischievious” with an extra syllable.
To her, it’s not just a minor slip-up.
She believes that proper pronunciation and clarity should be a basic skill for anyone delivering national news, no matter what technology—like AI or autocorrect—is around to help.
The Case Against Mumbled Speech and Heavy Accents
Leeming went further, admitting she’s given up on trying to make sense of mumbled speech or heavily accented presenters.
She lamented the overuse of filler words like “like,” calling it lazy and pointing out that if mistakes aren’t corrected, they just keep spreading.
Her comments reflect a broader concern about the erosion of what she sees as proper newsreading standards.
A History of Public Attention Beyond Newsreading
Jan isn’t just known for her news career.
She’s also been in the public eye for more personal reasons—including financial struggles that once landed her on I’m A Celebrity because she was “flat broke,” as well as her turbulent relationships.
Despite that, her recent remarks struck a chord online, drawing over 236,000 engagements, which prompted her to joke about stirring up a “hornet’s nest.”
Echoes of Accent Controversies in Broadcasting
Leeming’s criticism comes in the wake of other public debates about accents in British media.
Back in 2023, Lord Jones of Birmingham voiced his frustration with BBC Olympics presenter Alex Scott’s Mancunian accent, claiming it spoiled the broadcast due to her pronunciation.
Accents and pronunciation continue to be a hot-button issue in UK broadcasting, with some arguing for clearer enunciation while others champion diversity in speech.
Clarifying Her Own Accent and Background
After her comments stirred controversy, Jan took time on GB News to clarify that she doesn’t see herself as “posh.”
Growing up in Southeast London, she said her father’s education and voice inspired her to take speech and drama lessons, which she credits for her success.
She also made it clear that she’s not against accents at all, admiring broadcasters like Eamonn Holmes and Gloria Hunniford, who brought their own distinct regional tones to the screen while maintaining clarity.
Jan’s View on Modern TV and Ageism
Leeming has also been vocal about the challenges older broadcasters face today, saying she feels overlooked because she doesn’t “tick modern boxes.”
She argues that good speech and professionalism sometimes seem undervalued in the current media climate.
Her stance highlights ongoing conversations about diversity, age, and tradition in broadcasting.
