Another resignation has shocked the Loose Women panel when Carol McGiffin hints at why she’s been away from the beloved daytime show.
For more than two decades, the TV host has been a fixture on the ITV show, regularly igniting controversy among her fellow panellists with her contentious opinions.
The 63-year-old anchor revealed that her stint on the show had come to an end owing to her ‘unjust’ contract.
‘The problem was, ITV were insisting, for the first time since I went back in 2018, that if I wanted to carry on doing the show, I would have to sign a contract that was totally unjust and unworkable for me, so I had to say ‘no thanks,’” she wrote in Best magazine.
‘No one in their right mind would have signed that contract,’ she added. ‘And I can’t see a way back from it.’
‘ITV would not comment on or share specifics of particular contracts,’ stated an ITV representative, ‘but all ITV contracts conform with the appropriate employment and HMRC regulations.’
Despite Carol’s backing from co-stars Denise Welch and Brenda Edwards, the programme has seen a number of notable personalities leave the show, so here are some of the most memorable instances to date.
Jamelia
Loose Women reportedly fired singer Jamelia Niela Davis in 2016 because her comments on plus-size apparel sparked anger.
Her remarks occurred during a conversation concerning overweight teens, and Jamelia stated that she does not believe stores should encourage an unhealthy lifestyle.
‘I don’t believe retailers should carry garments below or over a specific weight,’ the singer stated on the show. When people come in and can’t locate a size, they should be made to feel uncomfortable.’
After being accused of body shaming, Jamelia wrote, ‘Never waste your time attempting to explain, to individuals who are devoted to misunderstanding you.’
The next day, the 42-year-old appeared on Good Morning Britain to clarify her comments.
She said: ‘Knowing that I made people question themselves and their choices really did upset me and all I can do is apologise for that but I do stand by what I said.’
A source told The Sun: ‘The show is often close to the bone but those comments were the final straw.’
A spokesperson said at the time: ‘Jamelia is currently working on other projects for ITV Daytime including some hair and beauty features for This Morning.’
Saira Khan
Saira Khan said she left Loose Women when ITV executives pushed her to join OnlyFans.
Before leaving in January 2021, the 52-year-old presenter was a regular panellist on the show for five years.
In October 2022, she stated that she quit ‘quietly’ after being solicited by executives to join the content subscription service OnlyFans, a proposal she regarded as ‘offensive’ and ‘disgusting’.
Sharing more details about ITV’s alleged approach on social media, she explained: ‘They asked me to go undercover and open an OnlyFans account for an investigative story – I had no idea what that even meant – it was asked by a junior producer who was sent running after me just as I was leaving to go home.’
She also said that her stint on Loose Women was ‘toxic’ due to social media harassment.
Saira emphasised that she did not want Loose Women to be terminated, nor does she seek damage on her former co-stars.
Loose Women’s spokeswoman said that they ‘strongly deny’ Khan’s accusations.
‘Duty of care is of paramount importance for all of our panellists,’ they continued. ‘Saira left the Loose Women panel almost two years ago and we wish her well.’
Jenny Powell
Jenny Powell, a radio broadcaster, quit the British talk programme in 2005, but has appeared as a guest a few times subsequently.
In November 2022, the 55-year-old reported that a negative atmosphere was building among the panellists.
Addressing her departure, she told The Sun: ‘I sacked it off. I didn’t like the energy behind the scenes.’
‘I always felt a bit intimidated of the other women. Maybe I’m just a bit sensitive.’
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV.
Source My Celebrity Life.
