Loose Women star 'devastated' as co-star is axed from show in brutal ITV cull
Loose Women's Nadia Sawalha has expressed her sorrow after revealing she was "devastated" to learn that a co-star and friend had been let go from the show.
This comes as part of ITV Daytime's cost-cutting measures following a budget cut by the channel, which has significantly impacted Loose Women, Lorraine and Good Morning Britain.
Nadia, 60, discussed on her latest YouTube channel how these changes were affecting her and how one of her close friends was now out of work.
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In conversation with her husband Mark Adderley, she said: "From next year there will be no Loose Women audience.
"I am totally devastated by this fact, I can't get over it at all. Not only because the audience is so important for the show, but also my dear friend Lee who I work with every day.", reports the Mirror.
Comedian Lee Peart had been the warm-up act for the last eight years on Loose Women.
The news follows last month's revelation that from January 2026, Good Morning Britain will be extended by 30 minutes to run from 6am to 9.30am daily. This change also sees Lorraine Kelly's show halved.
It will now air from 9.30am until 10am, and only be on our screens for 30 weeks of the year - the same amount of weeks as Loose Women will now broadcast.
It's believed up to a third of the 26-strong pool of Loose Women presenters could now face losing their job. A source previously stated: "Everyone is completely gutted and in shock.
"We can't believe they would dismantle these brilliant shows. It's the death of daytime TV."
Another chimed in saying, "There's no way all the Loose Women will be needed now there'll be far fewer episodes to fill."
Despite trimming down the on-screen shows, the Loose Women team won't be short of work as their podcast, 'Loose Women: The Podcast', is set to continue.
ITV's big shake-up was introduced by Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV's media and entertainment division. He explained the reasoning behind the changes: "Daytime is a really important part of what we do, and these scheduling and production changes will enable us to continue to deliver a schedule providing viewers with the news, debate and discussion they love from the presenters they know and trust as well generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres."
He continued to highlight the strategic shift, noting "These changes also allow us to consolidate our news operations and expand our national, international and regional news output and to build upon our proud history of trusted journalism at a time when our viewers need accurate, unbiased news coverage more than ever."
Lygo acknowledged the human cost of the restructuring by adding, "I recognise that our plans will have an impact on staff off screen in our Daytime production teams.
"We will assist ITV Studios and ITN as they adapt to new production methods starting next year, ensuring all are supported throughout this change," he concluded.
(Image: YouTube)
(Image: Samuel Black Photography)
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