The series replaced Five's long-running news programme 5 News (1998). It was a critical and ratings disaster, being described by Michael Parkinson as "hands down" the "worst ever show" and by Charlie Brooker as "a TV show that makes any and all previous accusations of "dumbing down" seem like misplaced phoney-war hysteria". Channel 5 then went back to a more serious news programme instead.
Melinda Messenger left the series in early 2010, filming her last episode as a presenter on 26th February 2010. She had decided not to renew her contract as she wished to move on to new projects. She later revealed that she left due to differences with Ian Wright.
In April 2010, Emma Willis became a permanent co-presenter of the programme, alongside original presenters Ian Wright and Kate Walsh. Before her appointment, she had served, along with other people, as a guest presenter while show bosses decided whom to choose as a replacement for Melinda Messenger, who left at the beginning of 2010.