Loose Women star lands massive new gig just days after ITV daytime telly bloodbath

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

A Loose Women star has landed a massive new gig just days after ITV announced massive cuts to its daytime television schedule.
Hosts of the female-led lunchtime chat show will see major cuts to their airtime from January in a desperate bid by the broadcaster to save cash.
The huge programming changes announced earlier this month will see the talk show air for only 30 weeks a year, instead of its current year-round timetable.
Lorraine Kelly 's self-titled chat show has also been subjected to the same cuts - along with a slash in run time, from an hour to 30 minutes.
It makes it a good time for Loose Women host Judi Love, 44, to have branched out - by starting a podcast called Our Table, with the first episode released on Friday.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
It makes it a good time for host Judi Love, 44, to have branched out - by starting a podcast called Our Table (pictured), with the first episode released on Friday
The talk-show style format will see her invite creatives from across the world to join her for a fine dining Caribbean meal - and tell-all chats about their rise to stardom.
Guests on the first episode will include fellow Loose Woman Charlene White and The Diplomat actor David Gyasi.
They will also be joined by comedian Michelle de Swarte, who created and starred in BBC series Spent, and actress Deborah Ayorinde, known for Amazon Prime horror series Them.
The food will be provided by renowned chef Dominic Taylor, known for starring on Channel 4's Five Star Kitchen: Britain's Next Great Chef in 2023.
The comedian announced her new gig in a series of Instagram posts earlier this week, one of which read: 'Our Table will launch on Friday the 30th on YouTube and all major podcast platforms!
'We have an exciting series lined up, featuring incredible guests and engaging conservations. Join us at Our Table!'
Another of her posts showed a glamorous group shot of the stars due to feature on the first episode.
It comes after Loose Women was left in chaos, with some of its top presenters doing the show 'through gritted teeth' as they faced a 60 per cent pay cut.
The huge ITV programming changes announced earlier this month will see Loose Women air for only 30 weeks a year, instead of its current year-round timetable
Some of the stars are believed to be 'furious' and 'insulted' over the shake-up, and are already fearing inevitable job losses.
A source told The Sun: 'It's very tense backstage as the cast are all fuming. It's like they're putting on a brave face and doing the show through gritted teeth.
'Some people's pay could be cut by 60 per cent as some get paid by the episode and they'll be slashed next year.
'For some it's their main source of income and it's worrying to everyone.'
Anchors Ruth Langsford and Kaye Adams, both 65, and presenters Nadia Sawalha, 60, and Denise Welch, 66, are believed to be 'angered' and 'panicked' about their livelihoods being at stake, causing uproar behind the scenes.
Other top ITV talents including Lorraine, 65, whose career spans over 40 years, are believed to be 'furious' and 'insulted' over the shake-up.
The new regime, set to come into effect in January, will cost a potential 300 staff members their jobs, with an ongoing consultation period lasting until September, before employees are finally let go in December.
Insiders have revealed to MailOnline it is Christine Lampard, 46, who fears she will be most affected given she presents for Lorraine when she is on holiday and also anchors Loose Women, meaning her yearly work is now in jeopardy.
A TV source told MailOnline: 'All of the presenters are in a state of panic and up in arms following ITV's announcement.
'These shows make up a large part of their livelihoods, so they are just as stressed and angry as the production staff, who have been told over 300 jobs are at risk.
'Ruth, Kaye, Nadia and Denise, in particular, have been reaching out to the production team in a panic and to express how angry they are that ITV had made this decision.'
MailOnline understands the cast of Loose Women, which includes more than 20 presenters like Charlene White and Coleen Nolan, feel there will be no option other than for the broadcaster to let go of key, long-serving talent.
It is also believed younger panellists, like former Love Island contestant Olivia Attwood, 34, and influencer GK Barry, 25, could be favoured over veteran stars including Janet Street-Porter, 78, and Jane Moore, 63.
A Loose Women insider added: 'At the moment there are about 20 presenters at the show, some are contracted, like Ruth, Kaye, Nadia, Denise, Janet, and Jane, and others are more ad hoc, like Myleene Klass and Sue Cleaver.
'It is hard enough right now to give every contributor a fair number of shows and to keep everyone happy and on screen as much as they would like.
'Now, the show will air just 30 weeks a year, so a lot of people are going to lose their jobs.
'There won't be enough shows to go around, so it means presenters who have been on the series for 25 years may be kicked off the panel.'