Loose Women (known as Live Talk from 2000 to 2001) is a British talk show that broadcasts on ITV weekdays from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. The show focuses on a panel of four female presenters who interview celebrities, talk about aspects of their lives, and discuss topical issues ranging from politics and current affairs to celebrity gossip and entertainment news. The 3,000th episode of Loose Women was broadcast on 15 May 2018. The show celebrated its 25th anniversary on 6 September 2024.[3]
The panel comprises four women from various professions in the entertainment and journalism industries, who interview celebrities, discuss their lives and discuss topical issues, ranging from daily politics and current affairs, to celebrity gossip.
ITV decided to scrap the original format of Loose Women and instead opted for a more condensed version of the show under the new name Live Talk. This new version was filmed in Manchester instead of London and the show kept its old roots. The rebranding made its debut on 25 September 2000 and ran for 121 episodes. On 8 June 2001, Live Talk aired for the last time until 2 September 2002 when the Live Talk format and branding was scrapped and rebranded back to Loose Women.
On 22 June 2016, Sir Cliff Richard sat down for a one-on-one interview with close friend Gloria Hunniford for a special edition of Loose Women[4] subtitled Sir Cliff: Out of the Shadows.[citation needed]
On 22 March 2020, it was announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production on Loose Women had been suspended until further notice.[5] Reruns of old episodes were aired in the programme's time slot.[5] On 28 April 2020, it was announced that Loose Women would recommence production on two live episodes per week from 4 May 2020.[6]
On 22 October 2020, Loose Women featured an all black panel for the first time in the show's history, featuring Charlene White, Brenda Edwards, Judi Love and Kéllé Bryan.[7] This panel has been seen several times since then.[8]
The Loose Women studio during the filming of an episode in 2024
On 3 August 2022, it was announced that the live studio audience would be returning from early September, having been suspended for over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] The audience returned on 5 September, and new opening titles were also introduced in the same episode.
On 21 April 2023, it was announced that Loose Women would be going on a live tour in September 2023.
On 6 September 2024, Loose Women officially launched the start of the show's Silver September Month and celebrated its 25th anniversary the same day, with panellists Kaye Adams, Linda Robson, Judi Love and Nadia Sawalha; original panellist Jane Moore joined the show from her holidays in Spain, as her daughter was getting married the next day. The special guest was former panellist Jane McDonald.[11]
On 25 November 2024, Loose Women officially announced a 25-hour "Talkathon" event to mark the 25th Anniversary of the show - and as part of ITV and STV's "Britain Get Talking" campaign for mental health. The "Talkathon" aired from 5th to 6th December 2024, streaming live on ITVX - with the first and last hour of the event airing also on ITV1. The "Talkathon" raised money for the mental health charities Mind, YoungMinds and Scottish Action for Mental Health, so they are able to continue to run their helplines and services.[12]
Kaye Adams and Nadia Sawalha were the original presenters on the show. Sawalha left in 2002, after the birth of her first child; Adams kept the role for the first ten series until the end of 2006, when she left to go on maternity leave.[13] Adams, Sawalha, Jane Moore and Karren Brady were panellists for the first episode, and Ruth Langsford appeared in the second episode.
Long-running panellists Carol McGiffin, Denise Welch, Jane McDonald and Lisa Maxwell departed from the programme in 2013.[14]
Nolan, Sawalha and Moore returned as panellists during 2013, whilst Adams returned as presenter.[15] Langsford also rejoined the programme as a presenter in 2014.[16]
On 3 August 2016, Hewson announced on-air that she would be leaving the show. Her final episode aired on 5 September 2016.[17]
Welch and McGiffin returned to the show after five years away, on 7 June 2018 and 5 July 2018 respectively.[18]
On 9 May 2019, Kéllé Bryan became a panellist after appearing as a guest on 12 April 2019.[19]
On 16 October 2019, it was confirmed that Linda Robson would return to the show after a twelve-month break, due to her suffering from OCD.[20] She returned as a panellist on 17 January 2020, after appearing as a guest on 10 January.[21]
In February 2019, Brenda Edwards made guest appearances as a panellist to fill in for Robson. She was then brought in as a regular panelist in March that year. Linda returned in early 2020 and Edwards has since stayed on making weekly appearances.
On 30 November 2020, Andrea McLean announced she was to leave the show after 13 years so she could concentrate on her new venture, membership website This Girl Is On Fire.[22] Her last show was on 16 December 2020.[23] On 11 January 2021, it was announced that Charlene White would become a regular anchor presenter on the show, replacing McLean after her exit from the show in December 2020.[24]
On 3 January 2021, Saira Khan announced that she would be leaving Loose Women after five years, with immediate effect, and would not return in 2021. She made her final appearance on 15 December 2020, and was replaced by Frankie Bridge in 2021.
On 23 July 2021, it was confirmed that Sunetra Sarker and Katie Piper would become regular panellists on the show.[25] On 7 September 2022, it was announced that Dame Kelly Holmes would join the show as a regular panellist.[26]
On 3 May 2023, it was reported that Carol McGiffin had been forced to leave the show due to a dispute within her contract.[27] In August 2023, Olivia Attwood became a regular panellist.[28]Mariella Frostrup became a regular panellist in July 2024. GK Barry became a panellist in August 2024, making her the youngest panellist ever on the show, at age 25.[29]
Let Loose: The Very Best of Loose Women, was released in November 2008, and was a clip show that featured highlights of Series 12 and 13.
Late Night with the Loose Women, was released in November 2009, and featured a special extended "Late-Night" styled episode, containing "raunchier" content than the main show can allow.
Loose Women in New York: Let Loose in the City, was released on 8 November 2010. This special featured Carol McGiffin, Sherrie Hewson, Lisa Maxwell and Denise Welch going on a holiday to New York.
Christmas with the Loose Women was released in November 2011. This was a special extended episode, presented by Andrea McLean, Carol McGiffin, Denise Welch and Lisa Maxwell.
Merchandise
A range of books have been published under the brand, which has expanded to an online shop selling make-up products, champagne, personalised cups and stationery.[32]
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