Latest news with #HowToBe60
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Loose Women ‘axing huge part of show' amid ITV budget cuts
LOOSE Women bosses are reportedly axing a huge part of the show amid ITV budget cuts. Producers have decided to drop the live studio audience next year as part of a series of cost-cutting changes to its daytime programming. 3 Loose Women bosses are reportedly axing a huge part of the show amid ITV budget cuts Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The show will return in 2026 with a reduced run of just 30 episodes - and without the 100-capacity crowd. It follows broader budget reductions across the channel, which also include halving Lorraine's airtime to 30 minutes and airing it only during school term times. Producers' decision to drop the audience is understood to be a cost-saving measure, as it is managed by an external company that provides security and a warm-up act. However, the change has prompted concern among production staff and presenters, including Ruth Langsford, Kaye Adams, Nadia Sawalha and Charlene White, who rely on audience reactions to shape the tone of the live discussions. A source told MailOnline: "The panelists are really upset over the decision to axe the live studio audience from the show. "It's what sets the series apart from the rest of ITV daytime and now there are massive fears that viewers will switch off completely. "The only concern now is to cut costs and having a live studio audience can be expensive, with the added need for security and a warmup artist. "Presenters already know how it feels to broadcast the show without an audience because that's what happened during the pandemic, and they all know it creates low mood and lack of atmosphere." The Sun has contacted ITV for comment. Just this week, Kaye Adams broke her silence on the chaos at Loose Women, admitting she's had sleepless nights over the cuts. Nadia Sawalha in tears as she breaks silence on chaos at Loose Women offices after 'hundreds' of shock redundancies Speaking on her podcast, How To Be 60, Kaye said she felt as though 'the rug had been pulled' from underneath her. The 62-year-old confessed: 'It did come out of the blue. "I didn't anticipate it, which is probably stupid in retrospect. You get into a sort of rhythm of life. "I had a couple of sleepless nights I have to say, because it's just like the rug's been pulled from under your feet – what has been familiar.' Kaye, who is one of Loose Women's main anchors, said: 'It's going to have an impact. Lots of people will lose their jobs completely which is terrible. It's a huge change. 'But I gave myself a talking to and I listened to my own advice for once – change is hard, but it can be good. 'The past is a trap, don't fear the future – I'm telling myself all these things. And maybe this is the nudge that I needed to make some changes in my life and I'll just have to go with it.' It has been rumoured that the pool of Loose Women panellists will be reduced as part of the cutbacks, which will be introduced from January. So far none of the hosts know if their livelihoods are at stake. It is not yet known whether younger panellists, such as former Love Island contestant Olivia Attwood, 34, and influencer GK Barry, 25, will be favoured over veteran stars including Janet Street-Porter, 78, and Jane Moore, 63. ITV's daytime TV schedule changes in full Good Morning Britain will be extended by 30 minutes to run from 6am to 9.30am daily. Lorraine will run from 9.30am-10am, on a seasonal basis for 30 weeks of the year. During the weeks Lorraine is not on air, Good Morning Britain will run from 6am to 10am. This Morning will remain in its 10am-12.30pm slot on weekdays throughout the year. Loose Women will be in the 12.30-1.30pm slot, again on a seasonal basis for 30 weeks of the year. The changes will take effect from January 2026. Kaye who joined the Loose Women panel from its first series in 1999, said: 'It's well documented of course. They're having to make cuts and it will affect Loose Women and to be perfectly honest we have no idea at this point what is going to happen.' The popular presenter revealed that she has been planning to downsize from the family home she shares in Glasgow with her husband, tennis coach Ian Campbell, since their two daughters Charly, 22 and Bonnie, 18, moved out. She said the Loose Women changes might give her the opportunity to concentrate on the move. Kaye told co-host Karen McKenzie: 'I've been going on and on I'm going to downsize and make changes to my house. 'Maybe it's going to give me a bit of time to focus on that and really spend some time on it. 'Funnily enough, I agreed ages ago to do this programme where they get people like me who are ready to get rid of big bits of furniture and downsize and they take them to an auction house and they sell them off and they film it. 'They asked me to earmark bits of furniture and different things that I was prepared to get rid of and so I agreed at the time, because I thought this is going to give me the impetus to really get going on the down-sizing.' Kaye joked that she hadn't yet told her husband. 'They're coming with a truck and I haven't told Ian. For the last week I keep going to start the conversation with him – 'by the way, there's a film crew coming and I've told them that they can have that sideboard, that chair, that desk.' I haven't told him yet! 'But if I didn't tell him and he came back tomorrow night, he wouldn't notice. He might if the sofa was gone or the television, but that's about it!' 3 Producers have decided to drop the live studio audience next year Credit: ITV
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Loose Women star Kaye Adams breaks her silence on brutal ITV cuts as she admits she's suffered 'sleepless nights' after her 'life imploded' and 'has no idea what's going to happen'
Kaye Adams has broken her silence on the chaos at Loose Women, as she admitted she didn't see the brutal ITV pay cuts coming. The presenter, 62, has been a panellist on the daytime show from its inception and has revealed she's had several 'sleepless nights' after ITV confirmed dramatic changes to their daytime TV schedule last month. Loose Women will now only air 30 weeks of the year, along with Lorraine Kelly 's show, which has also been slashed from an hour to 30 minutes. Speaking on her podcast, How To Be 60, on Tuesday, Kaye revealed that the cuts 'came out of the blue' and quipped that her 'life's just imploded'. While she admitted that even she doesn't know what will happen to her or her fellow panellist's jobs in the wake of the cuts. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She told her co-host Karen MacKenzie: 'To be perfectly honest, we have no idea at this point, what's going to happen. 'I didn't anticipate it, which is probably stupid in retrospect. You get into a sort of rhythm of life. 'I had a couple of sleepless nights I have to say, because it's just like the rug's been pulled from under your feet – what has been familiar.' She continued: 'It's going to have an impact. Lots of people will lose their jobs completely which is terrible. It's a huge change.' However, Kaye insisted that she was trying to keep positive and find the silver lining, saying the cuts would allow her to 'make some changes'. She said: 'But I gave myself a talking to and I listened to my own advice for once – change is hard, but it can be good. The past is a trap, don't fear the future – I'm telling myself all these things. 'And I think maybe this is the nudge that I needed to make some changes in my life and I'll just have to go with it.' Kaye then went on to explain how she'd been planning to downsize and move to a smaller place, and would now have the time to do it. However, she then quipped to Karen: 'And now I've lost my job, I might be in a one bedroom flat somewhere.' It comes after Kaye's fellow Loose Women panelist Nadia Sawalha choked back tears last week, as she spoke out on the chaos after the pay cuts. She described scenes of 'shock and fear' in the corridors at ITV after 'hundreds' of shock redundancies and pay cuts. Nadia – who joined the panel from its first series in 1999 – also admitted that even she doesn't know where her future on the show lies as she explained that she is self-employed and 'could be let go tomorrow'. Speaking alongside her husband Mark Adderley on the couple's YouTube channel she explained: 'Do you know what, at the moment, all of us on screen are in work and are proud of what we do. 'But behind the scenes there are people that are really suffering, and what you don't realise is when you attack the show you attack them, because you never see all the army of people behind the scenes and how hard they work.' Struggling to hold back her tears, Nadia, 60, added: 'So to all my friends and colleagues behind the scenes who have just got a huge shock out of the blue, I'm so sorry. 'Mark knows how upset I've been at home about it. I just can't bear it. So just be f*****g kind to people.' Struggling to hold back her tears, she added: 'So to all my friends and colleagues behind the scenes who have just got a huge shock out of the blue, I'm so sorry' Earlier in the video Nadia explained: 'What people don't realise at Loose Women is that we're self-employed, I am self-employed. Every contract is a new contract.' Commenting on the unpredictability of television work she added: 'I could be let go tomorrow, in five years, you don't know because we're not employees. So I can't tell you anything accept I am on for my next contract. 'What has been brutal over the past week and I am getting tearful about it, is that hundreds of people are going to be made redundant out of the blue.' 'A lot of my friends and colleagues have been there for decades and I cannot tell you how upsetting it was to see people walking around numb with shock and fear about what they are going to do. 'That has been so awful. It has been worse than whatever trolls have been saying about our show that we feel really protective of.' It comes after MailOnline reported that the stars of Loose Women are 'terrified' by ITV's cuts after bosses announced the daytime show will only air during school term times. As well as Kaye and Nadia, anchors Ruth Langsford, 65, and Denise Welch, 67, are believed to be 'angered' and 'panicked' about their livelihoods being at stake, causing uproar behind the scenes. Last month it was revealed some of the show's 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.' Top TV talents including Lorraine, 65, whose career spans over 40 years, are believed to be 'furious' and 'insulted' over the shake-up while the Loose Women are already fearing inevitable job losses. The new regime, set to come into effect in January, will cost a potential 300 staff members their jobs as a consultation period begins as soon as today, lasting until September, before employees are finally let go in December. Insiders have revealed to MailOnline that it's 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. 'Lorraine is also furious that her show has been chopped to 30 minutes and moved to just 30 weeks of the year, the same as Loose Women. 'She thinks it's the ultimate insult after so many years at the channel, especially as Good Morning Britain is staying the same, with the current hours, airing every weekday of the year, as her show rates the same as they do. 'Loose Women and Lorraine dropping down in their schedule will badly affect Christine Lampard, she anchors for both shows so most of her yearly work is now at stake.' MailOnline understands the cast of Loose Women, which includes over 20 presenters such as Charlene White and Coleen Nolan, feel there will be no option other than for the broadcaster to let go of key talent, who have worked on the production for decades. It's also believed that 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.' An ITV source confirmed to MailOnline last week: 'We are not planning any radical changes to the panel. All of our Loose Women are hugely valued and we celebrate each and every one and the experience and opinions they bring to the show every day. 'Many of our long standing panellists have appeared on the show for the majority of its 25 year run on screens and those stalwart, Loose legends are at the core of the show's success and hugely popular with the audience. 'The show remains a big priority within our daytime slate, having secured a BAFTA nomination, launched a podcast and celebrated a milestone anniversary in the last year alone.' Loose Women, which launched in 1999, currently airs on ITV during the week for an hour but from January 2026, the show will only broadcast 30 weeks of the year. In recent months, the show has attempted to reach a younger audience by recruiting Olivia, who currently fronts her own dating series Bad Boyfriends for the broadcaster, and in March, the series launched its first podcast across ITVX and YouTube. Anchor Ruth, who previously co-hosted This Morning with ex-husband Eamonn Holmes until 2021, has been on the programme since the beginning, making her the longest serving panelist. The shakeup was announced by ITV bosses last month, which included the extension of Good Morning Britain to run from 6am to 9.30am. Good Morning Britain will be produced by a 'dedicated team within ITV News at ITN' while daytime shows Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women will continue to be made by ITV Studios. Lorraine and Loose Women, which currently share the same studio, are filmed at Television Centre but as part of the changes will move to a central London location.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Shaun Wallace's life away from The Chase from private romance to huge salary
Shaun Wallace, who is better known as The Dark Destroyer on ITV's The Chase, has had an impressive career both as a barrister and television personality - but little is known about his personal life. Shaun Wallace, fondly known as The Dark Destroyer on ITV's hit quiz show The Chase, has become a familiar face in many homes. He shares the spotlight with host Bradley Walsh and a team of knowledgeable quizzers. The programme made its debut in June 2009, with Shaun and fellow quizzer Mark Labbett being part of the original line-up. They remain key figures on the show today, alongside Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis. Before his rise to TV fame, Shaun was a practising criminal barrister, appearing in hearings at both the Old Bailey and numerous magistrates' courts across England, Wales and Scotland. His life took an exciting turn in 2004 when he clinched victory in the BBC general knowledge quiz Mastermind, choosing FA Cup Finals as his specialist subject. This triumph caught the eye of Bradley Walsh and his production crew, leading to Shaun being recruited by ITV as the inaugural chaser on The Chase. His popularity on the show paved the way for a host of other opportunities, including hosting quizzes on cruise ships, writing his own autobiography Catching A Dream, and making countless other TV appearances, according to Bristol Live. Despite his public persona, little is known about Shaun's personal life. Here, we delve into his life away from the cameras. Huge salary In a recent chat, Shaun unveiled his impressive dual income, revealing that he now commands a hefty six-figure salary for his work as a barrister and TV star. Mastermind champion Shaun Wallace has credited his quiz show triumph for a dramatic boost in his wealth. Chatting about his financial status to The Times, the quizzing whizz gave a wry response: "A lot. That's all I'll say. How many zeros?" Although he remained coy on exact figures, Shaun opened up about his considerable financial leap: "Well into six-zero territory and my earnings have increased massively since I've started working in TV. I got paid well as a barrister but I'm now earning about ten times the amount I was before," revealing that television had significantly multiplied his income. Despite becoming a household name on television, Shaun hasn't entirely left the law behind as he said: "I still practise, though, so I have a dual income. Probably 70 percent of my income comes from my TV work and 30 percent from the legal side. Everything changed when I won Mastermind in 2004. Not just my finances, my whole life." Private romance When it comes to matters of the heart, Shaun, affectionately dubbed The Dark Destroyer on The Chase, tends to keep the cards close to his chest regarding his love life. Nevertheless, during his chat with Loose Women's Kaye Adams on the How To Be 60 podcast, he intriguingly hinted at his love life. He cryptically said: "I suppose I'm married to my career. Put it that way. I like that. I prefer that and I'm happier." When pressed about having someone special, Shaun simply stated: "Yes, I'm in a relationship." Family admission At 64, Shaun has consistently kept his private affairs out of the limelight, resulting in scant public knowledge of his personal endeavours. However, in an unusual move, the recognisable ITV personality shared insights into his home life on a recent podcast. Addressing whether he has ever had children, Shaun revealed: "No, I have never had a child." He justified his lack of fatherhood with reference to his past struggles as a budding barrister, claiming that the demands of his early legal career didn't align with responsible parenting. Shaun recounted on the podcast: "It was a conscious reason when I was a young struggling barrister. I didn't think it would be right to bring up a child when you're trying to climb to the top of that greasy pole." Though he hasn't experienced parenthood himself, Shaun has played a significant part in guiding several children as a godparent. Shaun freely admitted: "And I've never regretted that decision. I've got 15 godchildren. Two of them are called Shaun and I'm the best godfather in the world. I probably would have been a great dad but I've got no regrets in relation to that." The TV star also treasures his involvement in his ex-partner's child's life, considering it an exceptionally rewarding experience. He beamed with pride as he noted that she is akin to his own daughter, and affectionately calls him 'dad'. Reflecting on her accomplishments, Shaun said: "I watched her grow into a lovely young lady. She got a first-class honours degree recently and she got her doctorate the other day and I was there." Retirement plans Quiz master Shaun Wallace recently celebrated his 64th birthday, sparking curiosity among fans about whether he plans to retire from his famous role as The Dark Destroyer on Bradley Walsh's smash-hit quiz show, The Chase. Even though Shaun has been a constant fixture on The Chase since its inception in June 2009, he shows no signs of slowing down or retiring any time soon. In an exclusive chat with the New Zealand Woman's Weekly, he affirmed his commitment to continuing his vocation without interruption. Expressing his passion for his work and quizzing, Shaun bravely disclosed: "I'm celebrating 40 years in the job this year and I have no plans to retire at 65 - I love it. I love quizzing too, so I will be doing that for as long as I can." Shaun humbly shared his down-to-earth perspective on the show's impressive run. He confessed: "I never take being on The Chase for granted. I know it could all end tomorrow, and I still pinch myself that we are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year." The Chase is available to watch on ITVX.
Edinburgh Live
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Inside The Chase star Shaun Wallace's life from retirement plans to family admission
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Shaun Wallace, fondly known as The Dark Destroyer on ITV's beloved quiz show The Chase, has become a familiar face in many homes. He shares the spotlight with host Bradley Walsh and a squad of quiz whizzes. The programme made its debut in June 2009, with Shaun and fellow star Mark Labbett being part of the original line-up. They remain key figures on the show today, joined by Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis. Prior to his rise to TV fame, Shaun was a practising criminal barrister, appearing in hearings at both the Old Bailey and numerous magistrates' courts across England, Wales and Scotland. His life took an exciting twist in 2004 when he clinched victory in the BBC general knowledge quiz Mastermind, choosing FA Cup Finals as his specialist subject. This triumph caught the eye of Bradley Walsh and his production crew, leading to Shaun being headhunted by ITV to become the inaugural chaser on The Chase. His popularity on the show paved the way for a host of other opportunities, including hosting quizzes on cruise ships, writing his own autobiography Catching A Dream, and making countless other TV appearances, according to Bristol Live. Despite his celebrity status, little is known about Shaun's personal life. Here, we delve into his life off-screen. Seven-figure earnings (Image: (Image: ITV)) In a recent chat, Shaun unveiled his impressive dual income, revealing that he now commands a hefty six-figure salary for his work as a barrister and TV personality. Mastermind champion Shaun has credited his victory on the popular quiz show for a significant boost in his bank balance. In a chat with The Times about his financial situation, Shaun coyly hinted at his increased earnings with a playful comment: "A lot. That's all I'll say. How many zeros?" He revealed that he is now: "Well into six-zero territory and my earnings have increased massively since I've started working in TV. I got paid well as a barrister but I'm now earning about ten times the amount I was before." Despite his rise to TV fame, Shaun also mentioned maintaining his career in law: "I still practise, though, so I have a dual income. Probably 70 percent of my income comes from my TV work and 30 percent from the legal side. Everything changed when I won Mastermind in 2004. Not just my finances, my whole life." Private romance (Image: Instagram: @theshaunwallace) Regarding his private life, Shaun, who is better known as The Dark Destroyer on The Chase, tends to keep details of his romantic encounters under wraps. During his candid chat with Loose Women's Kaye Adams on the How To Be 60 podcast, Shaun unexpectedly disclosed some personal updates about his romantic life. Carefully playing his cards close to his chest, he quipped: "I suppose I'm married to my career. Put it that way. I like that. I prefer that and I'm happier." When pressed about a significant other, Shaun simply stated: "Yes, I'm in a relationship." Never raising children (Image:) The 64-year-old typically reticent about his private affairs, offered insights into his personal life during a recent appearance on a podcast, revealing information often shielded from the limelight. Addressing the topic of fatherhood, Shaun admitted: "No, I have never had a child." He attributed his decision not to start a family to the demands of his budding barrister career, indicating that climbing the legal ladder hardly seemed compatible with responsible parenting. Shaun elaborated on his reasoning during the podcast, saying: "It was a conscious reason when I was a young struggling barrister. I didn't think it would be right to bring up a child when you're trying to climb to the top of that greasy pole." While he has not had any children of his own, Shaun has assumed a nurturing role in the lives of many as a godfather, undertaking parental responsibilities multiple times over. Shaun expressed unwavering satisfaction with his life decisions, declaring: "And I've never regretted that decision. I've got 15 godchildren. Two of them are called Shaun and I'm the best godfather in the world. I probably would have been a great dad but I've got no regrets in relation to that." Moreover, the television presenter plays a significant part in his ex's child's life, seeing this bond as truly meaningful. Beaming with joy, he explained how she became akin to a daughter for him, with her even referring to him as dad. With a tone of pure pride, Shaun remarked on witnessing her grow up: "I watched her grow into a lovely young lady. She got a first-class honours degree recently and she got her doctorate the other day and I was there." Retirement plans (Image: (Image: ITV)) The ITV star recently marked his 64th birthday, sparking queries from devotees about whether he envisaged hanging up his The Dark Destroyer persona on Bradley Walsh's smash-hit ITV programme, The Chase. Having been an integral fixture of The Chase since its debut in June 2009, Shaun shows zero signs of wanting to bow out. During a heart-to-heart with New Zealand Woman's Weekly, he voiced his plan to carry on in his vocation. He confidently disclosed: "I'm celebrating 40 years in the job this year and I have no plans to retire at 65 - I love it. I love quizzing too, so I will be doing that for as long as I can." Shaun recognised the transient world of television and maintained a grounded perspective on the longevity of the popular quiz show. Sharing his thoughts, he said: "I never take being on The Chase for granted. I know it could all end tomorrow, and I still pinch myself that we are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year." The Chase is available to watch on ITVX.
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Changing Rooms legend Anna Ryder Richardson's very different career running a zoo
A name that inspired living room design across the UK Anna Ryder Richardson's life has taken a different turn since becoming the owner of her own zoo Following her time as the host of a classic 90s show that transformed the nation's living rooms, Anna Ryder Richardson has been on a weird and wild journey since Changing Rooms came to an end in 2004. The interior design icon, Ryder Richardson lit up screens alongside Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen in the BBC reality show that ran for 10 seasons. Originally finding her passion for design while working in a children's interior shop, she launched her own interior design company and got her first big break on TV with her own design segment on GMTV in 1996. During this time she would strike up a friendship with none other than celebrity chef Ainsley Harriot, who would introduce her to some producers before she become one of the key designers Changing Rooms. When the show finished in 2004 Anna went on to appear in I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2007 and became the sixth person to leave the jungle. But the jungle wasn't the only place Anna would get to know wildlife, bizarrely becoming the founder of Manor Wildlife Park, a zoo in rural Pembrokeshire. The designer bought and transformed the zoo alongside her ex-husband in 2008. She even documented her incredible mission to transform the site back into a Welsh tourist hotspot for the TV series Chaos at The Zoo. Under their tenure, the zoo has undergone major works including building a £300,000 rhino house as well as bringing in new species such as lions, zebras, and parrots. Owning the zoo was never plain sailing for the couple and caused various strains in their relationship. Sadly, they divorced in 2017, speaking to the Mail Online that 'stresses and strains and expense of running our wildlife park have destroyed our marriage". The rift became public soon after their split as they became locked in a vicious legal battle for ownership something she described as a "horrid limbo". Speaking on the 'How To Be 60' podcast, the 61-year-old told Loose Women anchor Kaye Adams: "I am enjoying a bit of celibacy, to be honest... but we've dived straight in there, haven't we? I'm officially still married for another few weeks. "It's been probably the worst time, I think. It's actually been going on for such a long time. Have I wasted all that time? Being in this horrid limbo and control and not really living my life, even though I look like them." In October 2024, the dispute seems to have been resolved with Ryder Richardson returning to her role managing the zoo. In a statement the former TV star said: 'I am very excited, it has been a long time coming, but I am finally back with my beloved animals, incredible team, and excited to greet our visitors into the park. I have huge plans for the future of Manor Wildlife Park.'
