Loose Women star signs up for money-spinning new role away from ITV as stars face pay cuts and axings in ITV chaos

The Sun

23-05-2025

A LOOSE Women star has signed up for a money-spinning new role away from ITV, as the stars of the show face pay cuts.
It comes after a major ITV shake-up was revealed this week which will see the female-led, lunchtime talk show cut to 30 weeks a year.
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It means the full 26-strong pool of Loose Women. presenters and panellists will no longer be required.
Up to a third of the cast, which includes Linda Robson, Denise Welch, Christine Lampard, Coleen Nolan and Charlene White, could be left without a seat at the table in the shake-up.
Not one to take things lying down, one of the stars has already taken on a new job that will boost the coffers.
Linda Robson has revealed she will be treading the boards this Christmas in panto.
She will take center stage at Dartford's Orchard West Theatre.
Theatre Director, Tal Rosen said: "We're absolutely delighted to announce Linda Robson is starring in this year's pantomime, Aladdin, as Jasmine's Mother.
"As a much-loved household name, Linda will undoubtably bring her warmth, humour and unmistakable personality to Orchard West.
"She is a perfect fit for Dartford this Christmas, and Aladdin is guaranteed to be a special festive production.
"We look forward to welcoming Linda in her first panto role here in Dartford and we know our audiences will welcome this exciting news."
MORE ITV CUTS
Loose Women isn't the only show affected by these changes at ITV.
Katie Price reignites bitter Loose Women feud seven years after panel exit, ranting 'I hated that show'
Lorraine Kelly 's show has been cut to just 30 minutes a day and will also only air for 30 weeks of the year.
Good Morning Britain, with hosts including Susanna Reid, Ed Balls and Kate Garraway, will take half an hour from Lorraine and will run from 6am to 9.30am.
More than 220 jobs will be lost as part of the shake-up — almost half of the 450 employed on the four flagship shows GMB, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women.
The reshuffle comes amid a desperate cost-cutting drive at the broadcaster, and follows changes already made to its soaps.
But bosses insist the cuts will bolster other areas of the channel including new drama and sport.
The overhaul was announced on Tuesday by Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV 's media and entertainment division.
He said: ' 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 as generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres.
'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.'
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