Loose Women panellists Kaye Adams and Coleen Nolan have shared their experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace, with Adams revealing she was 'too scared' to report unwanted advances from a former boss. The discussion aired on Tuesday's episode of the ITV show, prompted by the recent controversy surrounding the Spanish FA World Cup kiss.
Adams, 58, recalled incidents during her early career as a journalist when older male colleagues 'overstepped the mark'. She said: 'At 22 I just did not have the confidence at that point to turn around and say take a hike. They were my boss and I was scared that I would lose my job.'
Nolan, 58, who rose to fame as part of girl group The Nolans in the 1970s and 80s, described a 'terrible time' for women, with men frequently pinching her bottom. She said she would confront them directly, telling them: 'If you do that again, I'll knock your head off mate!' She added that she didn't feel the need to report such behaviour to have them fired.
Viewers on X, formerly Twitter, shared mixed reactions. Some praised the discussion, with one writing: 'I got loads of harassment at aged 18 in my first job. It would be nice to think that things have got better since those days.' However, others criticised Nolan's comments, with one branding her attitude 'dangerous' and 'disappointing', adding: 'Coleen claiming that it is extreme for someone to lose their job because of sexual assault/intimidation in the workplace is the reason it still happens.'
The conversation also featured new panellist Olivia Attwood, who argued that mandatory consent classes in the workplace are unnecessary. She said: 'Surely people should know [how to behave]. It's a no brainer.' Attwood, a former Love Island star, has been praised by viewers since her debut on the show earlier this month.
