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ITV staff anger as ‘tone deaf’ bosses throw extravagant 70th anniversary party amid job cuts

BBG News

As an over-the-moon fan, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and dismay at the recent turn of events. It seems that while ITV bigwigs are celebrating their network’s anniversary with a lavish bash, they’re also announcing budget cuts and job losses. Talk about adding salt to the wound! It feels like they’ve taken one step forward in celebration and two steps back in cost-cutting measures. Quite a conundrum, isn’t it?

This month, the broadcaster extended an organization-wide announcement about a celebration planned for their 70th anniversary, as the channel began operations back in 1955.

The invitation states, ‘Join us for an extraordinary 70th anniversary party! Delight in scrumptious cuisine and beverages, capture memorable photos perfect for social media, and dance the night away with our DJs. This special one-time event will take place at a venue in west London.’

The ITV employees, who were informed that the appropriate attire is ‘platinum,’ find it insensitive that their bosses are hosting a party while many positions are being eliminated, as they believe the funds could be more effectively used to save someone’s job instead.

According to a source, there’s a somber mood at TopMob following ITV’s announcement that both Lorraine and Loose Women will be cutting staff in half and decreasing their airtime substantially.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share my feelings about the recent announcement made by the panel show Loose Women. Next year, they are planning to do away with their live studio audience, a decision that presenter Nadia Sawalha described as ‘devastating’. This change is bound to affect the energy and dynamism that the audience brings to the show, and as a fan, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness.

A TV insider commented, “Staff members find it highly insensitive for the company to host a party when so many people are being laid off.

It’s clear that the upcoming event will require a substantial budget. Many people think that the management ought to allocate these resources instead towards efforts aimed at minimizing layoffs.

Many people are expressing that the current mood is far from festive, as it seems the majority within ITV’s daytime division, which comprises the largest segment of their operations, aren’t in a celebratory spirit at this time.

1) “The organization has implemented job losses and budget reductions not only in soap operas like Emmerdale and Coronation Street, but also in production companies such as Lifted (responsible for Love Island) and Multistory. Currently, it seems inappropriate to hold grand celebrations.

Apart from attending the London celebration, I’ve been cordially invited to two other parties in Manchester and Leeds as well. These invitations come from the ITV executives who believe this 70th anniversary milestone is not something to be missed.

To celebrate ITV’s 70th anniversary coming up in September, a representative shared that special gatherings will take place in cities like London, Manchester, and Leeds. All ITV employees are warmly invited to attend these events.

Let me express our gratitude to each and every one of you for the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication you’ve shown in creating exceptional, influential, and enjoyable programs that have earned recognition.

We’re well aware that the changes we plan for our Daytime productions in 2026 may affect some of our team members. We’re putting in a lot of effort to assist them during this transition.

Last month, ITV Studios officially announced a significant reduction in the budgets for some of their largest daytime programs, including Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning, and Loose Women. As a result, over 220 out of the total 440 staff members will be let go.

Starting from now, “This Morning” hosted by Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard will maintain its current duration. On the other hand, “Good Morning Britain” is being extended by 30 minutes. For the 22 weeks out of the year when “Lorraine” isn’t airing, “Good Morning Britain” intends to broadcast an additional half hour.

According to TopMob’s report, it was disclosed that Lorraine had been offered a chance to conclude the final 30 minutes of Good Morning Britain, but she declined what she considered an “offensive” proposition. Sources close to the situation predict that her show will only continue for another year.

Currently, it’s said that Good Morning Britain anchor Susanna Reid is discussing terms for a more extended stay, aiming to be recognized as the network’s prominent figure.

Nadia, who’s known for being easy-going, voiced her concerns about upcoming layoffs. She’s especially troubled because this decision means the show won’t be able to host a live audience anymore, and as a result, her longtime friend and warmup artist, Lee Peart, will also be out of work.

She mentioned that starting from the next year, there will no longer be an audience for Loose Women. This news has left her utterly crushed and she finds it extremely difficult to come to terms with it.

Apart from the fact that the audience plays a crucial role in our performance, it’s equally significant because my trusted partner-in-crime, Lee, is an integral part of our daily team.

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2025-06-27 14:49

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