Nadia Sawalha has announced she is taking legal action against ITV over her exit from Loose Women, alleging she was treated unlawfully due to her protected beliefs and would not be 'bullied' out of her job.
The 61-year-old presenter, a regular on the ITV chat show since 2010, has not appeared on the panel since April. In a video posted to Instagram, she said her legal team at ELSC had written to ITV, claiming she had been 'messed around' by producers who took her on and off the show after she began speaking publicly in support of Palestine in 2023.
She said: "My legal team at ELSC have today written to ITV alleging that I have been treated unlawfully due to my protected beliefs. Now before I say anything else, I want to say how sad I am that it has got to this. Believe me, I have appealed to ITV's hearts and minds but to no avail."
Allegations of Smears and a Dossier
Sawalha claimed she became the target of "an escalating campaign of smears, complaints, hostile media coverage and targeted calls to have me removed from Loose Women." She said ITV had taken her on and off the show multiple times, often citing "It's all a bit noisy out there for us."
She also alleged that a 20-page document from pro-Israel media figures was sent to ITV urging them not to reinstate her, but she was not allowed to see the letter or answer the accusations. She added: "This is the tip of the iceberg of what has been happening, but this is Instagram and I only have three minutes."
Earlier in June, reports emerged of a 'civil war' at ITV over Sawalha's position, with a 15-page dossier demanding she not return to the show. A source told The Sun: "There is so much bad blood. Nadia has many defenders on the show but others have made it crystal clear they will flat-out refuse to work with her."
Petition and Support
Sawalha announced a petition to counter a previous one calling for her removal, saying: "I want to show there are many more people with us than against us." She also highlighted others who have faced similar treatment for speaking according to their conscience, including teachers, doctors, and charity workers.
She concluded: "Enough is enough. We need to show ITV and other organisations that we won't be scared into silence and no one should be bullied out of their jobs for speaking according to their conscience and speaking out against brutal oppression."
The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment on Sawalha's allegations.
