Mortifying moment Vanessa Feltz is pranked by caller pretending to be Celebrity Big Brother star during live phone-in - and has no clue baffling stories are totally made up

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Vanessa Feltz was pranked by a caller pretending to be Celebrity Big Brother star Lauren Harries during a live phone-in on Tuesday's episode of Vanessa. 

The presenter, 64, was joined by Anthea Turner, 65, Theresa Cheung, 60, and Lewis Oakley, 34, in the studio to chat about a number of different lifestyle topics. 

During a phone-in, they discussed whether or not children should be allowed to decide when they want to go to bed. 

Someone called Lauren, from Cardiff, appeared on the programme after the first advert break to share their thoughts. 

Their voice sounded very similar to Lauren's, who currently lives in the Welsh capital, and also referred to the panel as 'stars' - which is something that she calls her fans on social media.

Lauren - who appeared on CBB in 2013 - took to X formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday to clear some things up. 

Vanessa Feltz was pranked by a caller pretending to be Celebrity Big Brother star Lauren Harries during a live phone-in on Tuesday's episode of Vanessa

During a phone-in, they discussed whether or not children should be allowed to decide when they want to go to bed - and someone called Lauren called in to give their thoughts

Lauren later took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to confirm that it was not her on the show 

She wrote on the social media platform: 'Someone appeared on the Vanessa show pretending to be me. 

'I want to make this very clear — it was NOT me. 

'The person on the phone was an impersonator pretending to be Lauren Harries.

'What surprises me is that Vanessa didn’t introduce me on the call, even though she has interviewed me before… so I would have thought she might recognise my voice.

'With all the researchers and production staff working on a national TV show, you would think something like this simply wouldn’t happen. 

'Viewers deserve an explanation. 

'If you want the real story about my life and working with Venessa on big bother .and my Experiences in television, it’s in my book “Becoming Lauren.” — Lauren Harries.'

Fans rushed to reply to the tweet with their love and support. 

'I can't believe I fell for it Lauren I thought we finally had you back on our television sets, what a cruel prank.' 

'Awful Lauren, folk should be ashamed.' 

'Oh Lauren I'm so shocked I fell for it, they really had everyone fooled and I was so excited to see you back on screen.'

'I’m so sad I fell for it. I thought it was a lovely interview.'

'Hope you're okay, hun.'   

Many rushed to the tweet to share the love after finding out that it wasn't Lauren

Lauren told the Daily Mail: 'I was very surprised and quite shocked to learn that someone had apparently appeared on the Vanessa show pretending to be me. 

'I have worked in television for many years and I take my name and reputation very seriously.

'With the number of researchers and production staff involved in a programme like this, it is difficult to understand how someone could appear claiming to be me without the production team contacting me directly beforehand.

'Vanessa and I have had our moments over the years and our history together hasn’t always been the easiest.'

During the segment, the person pretending to be Lauren said: 'Hello Vanessa and to all my stars on the panel. I hope you are well today.'

Vanessa asked the guest what they thought and they replied: 'I am for letting children choose their own bedtimes because when I was a child, I was from a very religious family, sort of a new religion.

'My mum, bless her, she was a lovely woman, she would take me to the Vicky Binns plays in Manchester, but she would always have me in bed by 6 o’clock sharp.

'When she put me to bed, I cried, and deep in the night. 

'But as I got older, I stick to those habits and I still go to bed at 6 o’clock now.

'I am always in bed with a mug of snoozy choc by the time 6 o’clock rolls around.

'So I don't think that those habits that are instilled into you as a child can carry through to when you are an adult.'

Vanessa and the panel were intrigued to know what time she gets up in the morning, and they replied: 'Very early. Probably as early as 3am sometimes. My schedule is quite all off!'

Daily Mail contacted Channel 5 for comment.  

Lauren, who was born James Charles Harries, shot to fame in the 80s after appearing in TV show Wogan and After Dark in 1991.

But she's also appeared as herself on the likes of Big Brother's Bit On The Side, Celebrity Juice, Body Shockers, Loose Women and Naked Attraction. 

Lauren took part in Celebrity Big Brother back in 2013.