Jeremy Vine viewers switch off as Channel 5 replaces him with Rob Rinder

Safe to say Rob Rinder hasn't gone down a storm…
Nancy Brown
By Nancy Brown

Jeremy Vine wasn’t on his self-titled Channel 5 show again today (January 19), with disgruntled viewers asking what’s happened to the presenter.

Last week saw Susan Calman take over from Jeremy on his Channel 5 morning show. This week, viewers were clearly expecting Jezza to be back. However, after tuning into the show today, they were met with another replacement… And promptly switched off!

Jeremy Vine on his Channel 5 show
Jeremy Vine has been AWOL since Christmas and viewers are asking where he is (Credit: Channel 5)

What’s happened to Jeremy Vine?

Jeremy has been absent since before Christmas. People have asked if he’s sick, sharing their concerns, as his seat on his morning talk show has been filled by replacement presenters.

Today, Rob Rinder stepped in to host the show in Jeremy’s absence. And the complaints poured in.

Posting on social media, one viewer asked: “Where the hell is Vine?? Has he fell off his bike? Show should renamed ‘The anyone but Jeremy Vine Show’! Don’t like Rob Rinder he waffles on to much!! Switching off.”

Rob Rinder on Jeremy Vine
Rob Rinder was drafted in to replace Jeremy today (Credit: Channel 5)

A second felt the same about poor Rob. “Rob Rinder is arrogant and unpleasant to watch and listen to. I’ll give it a miss,” they declared. A third felt the same: “Oh lord its Rob ‘to say the very least’ Rinder. My head will explode. Bring back Susan [Calman].”

“Time to rename it ‘Guess Who’s Presenting Today’,” another sniped. 

Others urged Jeremy to get back to his day job. One said: “He needs to stop all the other stuff and get back to his show. I can’t stand Rob Rinder.” Another was a little more blunt, however, posting: “Jeremy, one shouldn’t have two jobs if you can’t be [bleep]ed to turn up for your main one.”

So when will Jeremy Vine be back?

Jeremy has revealed on Instagram that he is off filming the new series of his game show, Celebrity Puzzling. It’s expected to air later this year. He appears on the Channel 5 series alongside Carol Vorderman and Sally Lindsay.

It’s unclear when he will return to his Channel 5 show. Susan Calman said she was filling in for a fortnight, and her final day was Friday, January 16. Rob Rinder is likely hosting for at least a week. Signing off today, he said: “We’ll see you tomorrow,” without expliciting revealing who would be hosting.

So could Jeremy be back next Monday, January 26? His loyal army of supporter are certainly hoping it’ll be sooner rather than later!

Channel 5 has been contacted for comment.

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Jeremy Vine is on Channel 5 weekdays at 9.15am