Carol McGiffin has criticised Loose Women after Denise Welch announced her departure, saying she is surprised her friend and former co-star stayed on the programme for as long as she did.
The 66-year-old broadcaster, who was a regular on the ITV lunchtime show for several years and often shared the panel with former Coronation Street star Denise, responded to Denise's announcement in the comments section of her social media post.
Denise, 69, said she was leaving the programme after more than 20 years to focus on her acting career. Carol, who quit in 2023, wrote: "Baaaabes, [three clapping emojis] can't believe you stuck it out for so long! Upwards and upwards it is then. I won’t see you up there but hope to see you down here sometime."
Carol's Criticism of the Show
Carol first appeared on Loose Women from 2000 to 2013, and returned to the panel in 2018 alongside Denise. She made her final appearance three years ago.
She has previously said she decided to leave because she was frustrated about being told what to say or not to say on air. She accused the show of becoming "too woke" and said she was told off about her wardrobe choices and exposing too much of her arms. Around the time of her exit, she also sparked backlash by accusing the media of "brainwashing" the public over the effects of coronavirus.
Carol, known for her frank views, has claimed her career in mainstream television is over for good. She said: "It’s too difficult to work in television anymore. So, I don’t want to go back. Not just to Loose Women. I’ve just got no interest in being on mainstream TV. Not that anyone would employ me!"
Changes in Television
During an interview with TNT talk radio, Carol said things have changed significantly since she began her career. She said: "I always look back at when I started working in television and radio as the good old days because they were much less policed, I suppose. Much less restricted and it was a freer place to be.
"When I look back at the old Loose Womens I used to do from 2000 all the way until I left in 2013, they're completely different. There is so much offence. People take so much offence at so much and they never used to."
Loose Women's Recent Turmoil
The show is currently off air due to budget cuts that took effect earlier this year. Nadia Sawalha, who has not appeared on the panel since April, has said she plans to sue ITV, believing she is being targeted for speaking out for Palestinian rights. She told The Mirror: "I accept that there is a huge risk I will never work in television again."
Colleagues have offered Nadia support, but she claimed many are too scared to do so publicly. She said two well-known faces at ITV reacted to an Instagram video she posted about her threat to sue the network. Nadia added: "I deleted it because I don’t want these people to be phased out. I feel sad that there is an atmosphere of fear that if they were to be seen to be supporting me, their career could be at risk. I don’t believe for one second the head of daytime wanted me off that show, I feel for her."
