Charlene White has detailed the abuse she faced about her race on her first TV job.
A viewer called in to complain the newsreader was black when she first presented the regional TV bulletin in the East of England.
Now, 12 years later, the news anchor has had the courage to speak up on Monday's Loose Women and discuss the racial abuse she suffered.
The British ITN star recalled how her colleague was shocked when she took the complainer's call, but admitted she wasn't.
In a statement, Charlene said: "A viewer called in complain. She asked why I was on her TV screen. If the channel had run out of White presenters the channel shouldn't be employing someone who doesn't have English as a first language (It is by the way)...
"My colleague answered the phone and she was shocked."
The journalist explained viewers will judge her by the colour of her skin first.
Only later, she said viewers will judge her on how she does her job.
She added: "Being Black in the UK is having viewers judge me by the colour of my skin first and the merit of my work second.
"[This call happened] 12 years ago I presented my first regional TV bulletin in the East of England."
Charlene wanted to shine a light on the incident so many people could see her path to her high-flying career was not "really easy".
The star said it was just "one example" of the racial injustice she has suffered.
She added: "I think what's important for everyone who sees me on TV, lunchtime news, and they assume the path to where I am is really easy. It wasn't. That's just one example."
*Loose Women is on weekdays from 12.30-1.20pm
