Loose Women legend, Denise Welch, has quit the show after 25 years just days after her co-star, Nadia Sawalha, also left the ITV daytime programme
Loose Women fans were stunned when show legend, Denise Welch, announced she’d quit (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Loose Women fans were stunned when show legend, Denise Welch, announced she was quitting this week. The former Coronation Street star, 68, has been on the primetime panel for 25 years and counts many of her co-stars as closest pals. However, she’s now called it a day with the Loose Ladies, revealing that she wants to focus on her true passion of acting.
The announcement sparked a flurry of ‘we’ll miss you’ messages, with many colleagues telling the star the show would not be the same without her.
The reaction was a marked change from Nadia Sawalha who has also now left the show – but under very different circumstances. The Absolutely Fabulous star has threatened to take legal action against ITV, claiming the network dropped her for speaking out in support of Palestinian rights.
A bitter row has now broken out with both Nadia’s husband and sister slamming one of her co-star’s for their response.
Here’s everything we know about the Loose Women fallout…
Row erupts over ‘heartbroken hypocrite’
After Denise quit, Loose Women anchor, Kaye Adams, was one of the first to pay a gushing tribute to her co-star, posting: “Densy Squelch you have ‘broken my heart but I shall watch you Den with love and pride.”
However, fans were quick to point out that she kept quiet when her close pal, Nadia left the show.
After Kaye replied to Denise’s news, Nadia’s older sister, Dina, fumed: “So your Instagram does work! After all of Nadia’s support for you during your bullying allegations – you couldn’t even LIKE her Daily Mail apology post, which is about as controversial as it gets. Wow, wow, wow!”
Agreeing, someone else said: “The silence from her so-called friend is disappointing” to which Dina replied: “More than disappointing!”
Kaye lost her BBC Scotland job after being accused of bullying. The Scot, who denies she bullied colleagues, was accused of swearing and humiliating co-workers.
Following Kaye’s suspension, the BBC began an internal investigation into the claims, which found the presenter guilty on three charges.
In response, Nadia strongly defended her long-tome co-star, calling her one of the kindest and most professional people in television and urged the public to read Kaye’s statement addressing the misconduct and bullying allegations.
Denise Welch’s bombshell exit statement
After 25 years, sharing her views on the day’s hot topics, Denise left fans reeling when she announced she was leaving Loose Women. The mum-of-one has been a staple of the ITV panel for decades, but confirmed that she would be stepping down in a video shared on Instagram this week.
Sharing the reason for her departure – which came days after Nadia Sawalha spoke about her own exit – she told followers that she wanted to focus on her acting career, describing it as her ‘first love and the thing she’s best at.
In a video posted on Instagram she said: “I’m leaving Loose Women after the best part of 25 years, off and on. I did leave for about seven years and went back in 2018. This show has been part of mine, and my family’s life, for nearly a quarter of a century.
“I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories and it’s just that acting has always been my first love and, I think, the thing I’m best at.
“At the moment, I’m having the most wonderful opportunities coming my way and I’m grabbing them by the you-know-whats and running with it for this new chapter of my life.
“And so I just wanted to say that in person to thank all of the people who have shared my stories with me. I’ve shared my life with you – the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m very marmite but I cherish all the comments, good or bad, that I’ve had over the years.”
She added: “I just hope you wish me well for this new exciting chapter in my life. I’ll miss everybody but I will remain friends with the whole gang because, despite what you might read, we are a happy band of campers. Lots of love, thanks for sticking with me.”
Loose Women stars speak out
After Denise’s departure was announced. Carol Vorderman commented: “Dens …… well that’s an era closing … you’ve been the beating heart of LW and I loved my 3 years with you there. You’re looking soooooooo well and happy and excited so here’s to your next chapter my lovely friend.”
“Nooooooo! Gutted to be honest! Going to really miss sharing the panel with you,” Katie Piper replied, as GK Barry added: “Denise I’m gonna be so sad not to be on the panel with you anymore you always brought so much joy to my day. Can’t wait to see you on our screens [sic].”
Meanwhile, Denise’s co-star, Judi Love, posted: “I’m going to miss you but I’m beyond excited to see your new chapter because baby girl it’s here and we are loving it.” Also paying tribute was Denise’s new daughter-in-law, Gabriette, who responded to the star’s post with a heart.
Nadia Sawalha’s explosive departure
Nadia Sawalha last appeared on Loose Women in show in April and this week revealed she had threatened legal action, claiming ITV bullied her out of her job.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, she said she fears she is being targeted for speaking out for Palestinian rights and was worried that police officers could come knocking on her door. Nadia told us: “I accept that there is a huge risk I will never work in television again.”
She said she was told of a 20-page dossier of allegations made against her and that ITV told her they did not have the staff to review it. She said: “I haven’t been allowed to answer one single allegation because I don’t know what they are. I was in a state of shock and so upset. I begged them not to do this to me. I know I am missed on that show. I have worked on Loose Women on and off for 27 years. I know my worth. I have never had to see a boss.”
She added: “I want people to be less afraid. I haven’t got any choice, I have to speak out.”
Earlier this week it emerged Nadia’s lawyers wrote to ITV claiming: “Nadia was treated less favourably than other ITV presenters who faced significant public complaints.”
The European Legal Support Centre (ELSC), representing Nadia, refused to comment to the Mirror about which ITV stars they were referring to or if they have been named in the letter. But they said the issue raised “serious concerns about equality in the workplace and the treatment of those who speak out for Palestinian rights”.
Colleagues have offered Nadia support, but she claims many are too scared to do so publicly…
Also, weighing in on the drama was Nadia’s husband. In a new YouTube video he hit out at her former colleagues saying: “The part of it that really breaks my heart, and I have to say this, I am absolutely flabbergasted, agog, horrified, shocked, beyond dismayed and disappointed by the cowardly lack of support I have heard or seen for you from people I would’ve expected it to come from.”
In the new YouTube video posted onto their channel, Nadia replied: “That teaches us a lot, it teaches us a lot. And different people make different decisions for their lives.”
Mark, 55, who was suspended from the Green Party earlier this year after sharing certain views online, explained that he was even more surprised at the lack of support because Nadia has had a career in showbiz for so long now.
He added: “I felt something similar about the Green Party but I hadn’t been a member for so long. I’ve been very lucky in that so much of my life is social media platforms and the channel but this is a world where you’ve been in it for so long where you’ve championed, defended, supported, looked after, lauded others.”
The Mirror has contacted Kaye’s reps for comment.
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