Tough cookie Janet Street-Porter showed a slightly softer side to her thick-skinned image when she made an unexpected confession on TV show Loose Women earlier today.
Following a story about TV presenter and author, Clare Balding, being called a diva by journalist Ginny Dougray earlier this week, Janet spoke out on behalf of Clare.
Describing her as “the least diva-ish woman” that she knows, and admitting that she had also fallen prey to the journalist in question.
Janet, 70, said: “Actually I read this story and I have a certain degree of sympathy with Clare Balding.
“The journalist who has described Clare Balding as an ‘insecure diva’ – and by the way, Clare Balding is the least diva-ish woman – the journalist is one called Ginny Dougray.
“Very few people reduce me to tears,” Janet went on.
“But she wrote a piece about me that made me cry. So I’ve waited years to get my revenge and I’ve just had it. I feel a lot better.
She added: “I think the diva here is the journalist Ginny Dougray.”
Clare herself has gone on Twitter saying: “Re the Saga saga, today has been an exercise in self-restraint.
“The editor has issued a statement clarifying that she asked for changes,” she continued.
“And I did not have copy approval. I would certainly never ask anyone to call me ‘lovely’. Gorgeous maybe – but never lovely!”
Re the Saga saga, today has been an exercise in self-restraint.The editor has issued a statement clarifying that she asked for changes (1/2)
— Clare Balding (@clarebalding) October 1, 2017
(2/2) and I did not have copy approval. I would certainly never ask anyone to call me 'lovely'. Gorgeous maybe – but never lovely! #Sagasaga
— Clare Balding (@clarebalding) October 1, 2017
Certainly not sounding very diva like to us!
And what would Janet’s most div-ish moment be?
“My little diva moments occur at checkouts. It’s that fake chat, so when they’re putting the stuff along the counter and they go, ‘How’s your day been so far?’ I always go ‘Fine!’ thinking that will put them off.”