Judi Love fought back tears as she returned to the Loose Women panel on Wednesday, paying an emotional tribute to her close friend and colleague, TV chef Dom Taylor, who died suddenly at the age of 38.
Emotional Return to the Panel
The comedian and Loose Women panellist was welcomed back by presenters Christine Lampard, Kelly Brook and Janet Street-Porter after a short break. However, the joyous reunion quickly turned somber as Love shared devastating news.
She began by recounting the highs of her recent All About The Love tour, which included a sold-out performance at Hammersmith Apollo. “As a comedian, that’s something that you dream of doing,” she said. “Actually doing it and selling out as a solo artist was phenomenal.”
Devastating Loss of a Friend
Love then revealed the low point: “One of the lows that’s just only happened over the weekend is I lost a dear friend and a colleague, Dominic Taylor.” She described the chef as “phenomenal” and recalled working with him on her show, Our Table.
“I remember first meeting him and tasting his food and it was amazing,” she said. “It was a dream to work with him so when he said yes, that he would do my show, I was beyond happy.”
Legacy of Caribbean Cuisine
Love praised Taylor’s passion for Caribbean food, saying he “changed the trajectory of Caribbean food” by elevating it to fine dining. “There’s sometimes negative connotations about it not looking pretty, he’s taken it to a level of being fine dining and that is something we will never forget that he did for us.”
She sent love to his family and friends, adding: “We’ll never forget you, Dominic.”
Sudden Passing of TV Chef
Dom Taylor, who won Channel 4’s Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef in 2023, died suddenly. In a statement released by his team, they said: “We are deeply saddened to share the news of the sudden passing of our founder, Chef Dom Taylor. Dom was a visionary whose bold, joyful approach to celebrating the Caribbean cuisine of his childhood brought a fresh and exciting voice to London’s restaurant scene. His passion, talent and generosity touched so many people, and his legacy will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him and experiencing his food.”
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
