Loose Women star Judi Love has candidly revealed the secret struggle she faces behind the sparkling confidence for which she is so often publicly praised. The 45-year-old comedian and presenter, who is currently lighting up the festive season as the face of Debenhams' new Christmas campaign, admitted that the frequent question about the source of her self-assurance is something she personally battles.
The Confidence Question
Judi Love confessed she always wrestles with inquiries about her confidence, suggesting the line of questioning may be rooted in her being a plus-size woman. She revealed that while she was actually a shy child, her current self-assurance has been a long journey of personal development.
In an exclusive interview, Judi explained her perspective on this common query. "I always battle with this question," she revealed. "Because I feel like people only ask me how I am so confident because I'm plus-size." She contrasted this with her observations of other women in the industry who are considered a 'normal size', noting they are rarely asked the same question about confidence despite the average UK dress size being 16-18.
The TV favourite firmly believes that confidence is fundamentally about the individual, not external factors like clothing or body size. "Honestly? I think that confidence is about the individual. It's definitely not about what you're wearing, or about size, it's just about you as a person," she stated emphatically.
Making Television History
Judi's charismatic presence and passion for meaningful representation have translated into groundbreaking television moments. In 2020, she was part of the first all-Black female panel on Loose Women, a milestone that remains deeply significant to her years later.
Recalling the emotional impact of that historic day, Judi described it as "unreal that it became something so big." The overwhelming response from viewers across all cultures, backgrounds, ages, classes, and races made it an exceptionally memorable moment in her career.
The thought that her future grandchildren will be able to look back and see her participation in such a momentous occasion holds profound importance for Judi. She takes pride in the fact that more all-Black panels have continued to appear on the show since that pioneering broadcast, though she looks forward to the day when such representation is no longer considered unusual.
Festive Campaign and Personal Style
Most recently, Judi stars in Debenhams' vibrant 2025 Christmas advertisement alongside Peter Crouch and Olivia Attwood. The campaign features a sleepy street transforming into a joyous Christmas parade that would cheer even the staunchest Scrooge. In the advertisement, Judi rallies neighbours from atop a high-heeled, shoe-shaped float, bringing substantial festive sparkle to the proceedings.
She expressed delight at collaborating with the well-respected retailer, noting Debenhams' long-standing reputation as a one-stop shop for everything from perfume to clothing and beauty products. For the campaign, she wore a striking red blazer dress with sparkly puff sleeves, emphasizing that having clothing reflect her outgoing personality was crucial.
Judi praised Debenhams for understanding her personality and body shape, offering a variety of outfits that suited her. Her approach to fashion has evolved over the years, with the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant explaining she's now more confident in building her own brand rather than blindly following trends that might not suit her shape.
Balancing Motherhood and Career
Between her television work and successful stand-up tours, Judi prioritises her role as mother to her two children: daughter Shan, 20, and son Shi, 16, whom she describes as her biggest cheerleaders. Despite their growing independence, she still experiences elements of 'mum guilt' when working or taking time for herself.
Judi actively protects her weekends and evenings to maintain balance, ensuring she can still take her son to basketball or boxing when needed. Even during our interview, she was preparing to visit local shops to gather ingredients for chicken soup because her daughter was feeling unwell.
The family has established cherished Christmas traditions, including annual cinema trips to watch festive films and enjoying "picky bits" while waiting up until midnight on Christmas Eve. Judi offers reassuring advice to other mothers feeling overwhelmed by festive pressures: "You're doing enough. Take away the pressure – make your own traditions and do it your way!"
Judi Love stars in Debenhams' 2025 Christmas campaign "Debenhams Delivered", alongside Olivia Attwood and Peter Crouch, available to view now.
