If you’ve ever wondered whether the Loose Women ladies get on as well behind-the-scenes as they seem to on-air, spend an afternoon in their company and the answer will become abundantly clear. That’s exactly what we did when we got Christine Lampard, 47, Brenda Edwards, 56, GK Barry, 26, and Oti Mabuse, 35, together for a fun-filled, glamorous shoot to celebrate International Women’s Day.
During our time together, there is raucous laughter, the odd swear word, plenty of gossip, some fabulous impromptu duetting to Aretha Franklin’s Say A Little Prayer (thanks Oti and Brenda) and yes, a palpable sense of sisterhood. Here, we catch up with the Loose ladies to talk about everything from parenthood, to romance and oversharing on national telly…
Christine Lampard
Christine, why do we still need International Women’s Day?
It’s so important, there’s so much abuse still happening against women – even if it just starts conversations. As the mother of a little girl. I’m suddenly very aware of the world for her in the future. I want her to feel empowered – I always tell Patricia she can do anything she wants. Right now, she wants to be an artist and she’s brilliant – the second she gets home she’s drawing. My little boy Freddie, unsurprisingly, loves football!
How is life, Chez Lampard?
Frank obviously works away a lot though he does his best to get back. My family’s in Belfast – if I had mum and sister round the corner, it would be very different. Honestly, I’d move back home one day… But I’ve struck a good balance between working and being a mummy – and I’m so grateful for day-to-day moments, like being able to pick them up from school.
Do you miss Frank when he’s away?
I do, but we’ve never known anything else. I motor on. Frank and I have been together 17 years now – we’re lucky in that we think the same way about most things. We never fight (only over silly things like how Frank can’t wash his hands without it looking like a tsunami’s hit!), and we have a proper laugh. We’re just a strong unit.
Would you two renew your vows?
I would! We were 10 years married in December though, so we missed the boat, we were too lazy! Do we wait for 20 years?! I’d want a big celebration back home and the kids could have a role, they’d love that.
Nothing says ‘sisterhood’ more than Loose Women…
Honestly, 25 years on and we still have the best laugh – there’s a real strength in giving women of all ages such a powerful platform, there’s a magic to that. You know, depending on what my problem is, I know exactly who to go to for advice.
What are your standout moments?
The domestic abuse campaign we did was so powerful [Loose Women launched its Facing It Together domestic abuse campaign in 2024 and took it to Parliament at the end of 2025]. Denise, talking about her depression, Brenda, who has gone through some heartbreaking moments in her life, but talking so bravely…these women sharing such raw versions of themselves takes my breath away. It makes me love them that bit more. I forget I’m on the telly, I’m so in the moment. We’re like family. We’ve got each other’s backs.
Funniest moment?
Frank came on years ago as a guest and they had him ordained – so Janet could marry herself. Another random day in the office! Frank definitely messages me sometimes during a show and goes, did you actually say that?! But I think every Loose Woman has those moments because there’s no script – whatever comes out of your mouth, it’s out there!
What advice would you give your teenage self?
Stop worrying about what people think! Don’t be afraid of ‘no’. I naturally want to please people all the time. Take risks, or as we say back home, ‘Jump and the net will appear’. I’m grateful for what I did when I was younger. I wouldn’t now, kids changed that.
GK Barry
How much does Loose Women mean to you?
These women are iconic. I was so nervous, I was mute my first couple of episodes, but they’ve made me feel so comfortable. Just getting their take on life is incredible, and having a female-led show where you can talk about anything, and not be judged for it is powerful.
You have no filter. Do you ever regret that?
It got me where I am today. But Loose Women’s teaching me how to read the room. But having differing opinions, saying something outlandish brings fun to the show. I do sometimes stay awake at night and think, ‘Why did I say that? What the hell’s wrong with me?!”
Any standout moments so far?
Oh, any time I have Denise Welch on the panel. She’s my queen. Usually I’m the outrageous one but Denise will go there – whatever i say she tops it.
Who are the strong women in your life?
My mum Loretta keeps me humble if I get too big for my boots, saying, ‘who do you think you are? You were that child whose head was too big for her body…’ I get my humour from her. But she’s also the one in Tesco, saying my daughter was in I’m A Celeb…, trying to get discounts.
Didn’t she appear on Loose Women?
She did. I was sweating. If you think I’m loose-lipped, she’s worse. But she thrives in front of a camera. I actually clocked how funny she was at my grandad’s funeral. She had people crying with laughter with the brilliant stories about him she was sharing – she was very brave! Our bonding time is drinking prosecco while watching tv. Maybe we should do Gogglebox. My girlfriend Ella [Rutherford] is iconic. She’s incredible how she can hold a room.
Are you any closer to tying the knot?
Three dogs, still going strong, she does want a ring – and she may get one. But I want her to be surprised when it comes. She wants to get married in the UK but i’m not doing a winter wedding – there’s no meat on these bones! When we get engaged, I want it to be somewhere hot.
You and Oti were jungle mates…
It’s so funny seeing her out of the jungle. In the jungle, we were both hair everywhere, we stank, she’d wake me up singing – I miss that alarm clock. I’m a glass half empty girl, I wake up miserable so it was nice to have her energy and positivity. She was also amazing at giving advice.
Are you and Reverend Coles still besties?
Oh, yes. He’s so full of wisdom and insight. I’m scared of everything and he has great perspective, l’d be sitting there crying, in emotional turmoil, and he’s sharing bible quotes and making me feel better. He’d say, ‘I was young in the 80s, so anything you’ve done, I’ve probably topped it.’
What have you learned about life?
I used to be so scared of people’s opinions, people thinking I was weird. But being myself has been the secret of my success. Also, it doesn’t matter if you have a flat arse – because someone will love you for your long back in the future.
Oti Mabuse
How important is it to still have a day dedicated to women?
So important. It took so long in my native South Africa for women to even have the right to vote. We’re mums, sisters, aunts, professionals – we deserve to be celebrated. Sometimes my husband Marius says,’ I don’t know how you do it’. I say, ‘Babe, it’s cos I’m a woman…’
What does Loose Women mean to you?
I’m more aware of what’s going on in the world and there’s so much love between us, even if we’re not agreeing. Our morning debriefs are like girl therapy. We leave our insecurities at the door, when we’re good, or when we’re scared – like, when I admit I don’t know what the future looks like for my daughter. I talk about everything. My sister Motsi sees clips online and goes, why are you talking about that?!’ Marius laughs at me and goes, ‘What would you do if I wasn’t a topic on Loose Women?!”
How was I’m A Celeb in 2024 with fellow Loose lady GK Barry?!
It was amazing. Grace is so honest in how she lives life. She has that youthful joy, which I love. And she’s hilarious as hell. We had beautiful conversations, and I learned a lot about being vulnerable. Everyone’s going through something, that’s what I learned.
Was it hard as a new mum, leaving your baby for the jungle?
It was, but she doesn’t remember. I wouldn’t leave her now, at 2. I go to work and she’s crying for me! Back then, I was under the impression I could do it all, but you can’t – you burn out. I was so tired and the jungle gave me a total reset. Dean McCullough did a lot of the trials, I didn’t do much for the first week except sleep! All the other celebs were lovely, they were like, ‘She’s a new mum, let her rest…’.
How has motherhood changed you?
A lot. She’s the reason I do everything. I want to be a good role model – I want to make sure her relationships with women, and men, are strong, and I hope when she’s older she can come to me about literally anything. She’s such a daddy’s girl, though! But I love that she is. If Marius isn’t around, she can do it all. When he’s there, she pulls this little knowing face – to me – and asks him to do everything for her! She’s so funny.
How’s judging on Dancing with the Stars going in Ireland?
Oh, I am still loving it so much. And I’m still doing my weekly social media posts on things that I have learned about Irish people – I’ve even learned some Irish phrases from my taxi driver! Our week is so busy with my little one doing gymnastics, swimming, art classes (I need to tire her out), then on Saturday I travel to Dublin and the weekend is mine.
It’s important to have some ‘me’ time…
I love being a mum but it’s SO nice! There’s a flight attendant on Aer Lingus who knows me at this point – and gives me an upgrade every week! I love working on the show as I’ve watched people dance, then I get back to the hotel and have a bath and a wine and it’s heaven, I’m telling you!
Brenda Edwards
As women, do we still have battles to fight?
Too many! But you have to keep battling and remain present and seen, which is something Loose Women is incredible at doing. I’ve been a part of the show since 2019 but I originally went on to talk about my stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis as I didn’t have any symptoms – it was about checking yourself.
You’ve shared so many powerful personal stories since…
I have, and it’s only slightly less nerve wracking now, years on! There’s a lot of joy, too though. I’m there with my besties and I’ve got a big funnybone, I’m always the first to start laughing on set, then it sets everyone else off. Like the time I was dressed up as a witch with my broom, then I tripped and fell down the stairs! I’m the loud one. Coleen brings out the mischief in me. But I’ve realised I’m an introverted extrovert.
That’s surprising…
I’m a shy person, but if I’m relaxed I’ll talk all day. I think that shyness comes from losing people at such a young age. But I do have key memories of my parents – music we heard in the house is one, and a certain curry sauce smell which brings me right back. Music and food are still the big passions in my life – they bring me out of myself. Singing on Loose Women with Anastacia was pretty amazing. We bonded over our breast cancer journeys. Music is a great healer for her, and it is for me, too.
You’ve been through cancer, grief – but remain so positive…
You can wallow in self pity, but I don’t have the time to do that – and I always remember, someone else is worse off, that needs helping. Having Loose as a platform to tell my stories, and unfortunately I have many traumatic ones – it gives me comfort hearing others respond who are going through similar, and thank me for sharing. If you keep things in, it hurts you – it can make you ill.
Who are the women that have lifted you up?
My aunties, my grandmother – my auntie Pam, MBE, who I look at as my mum, was a member of the RAF. They are very strong role models who raised me after my parents died when I was 4. Their motto is, ‘Pull yourself up, keep fighting’ and that’s exactly how I live my life. It is hard. I don’t have my mother, and of course I lost my beautiful son, Jamal. But my daughter is wonderful. I’m proud to be a mum and have two beautiful children. This is what being a woman is all about – you go through a lot, but you carry on.
You recently found love, Brenda, didn’t you…
There is a special someone, who I met just over a year ago. I believe he’s come at the right time – and I honestly believe my son has sent him for me. There are so many similar things in him and Jamal’s way of thinking, which spooks both of us out. The stars have aligned. Losing my baby, despite all my success, is like walking around with this big gaping hole in my heart. But I’m happy to share some lovely experiences together – it’s a long time since I’ve been this happy.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player
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