Mark Adderley, husband of Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha, has criticised her former co-stars for what he called a 'cowardly lack of support' following her departure from the ITV daytime show.
Husband's Criticism
In a YouTube video posted to their channel, Adderley expressed shock and disappointment at the lack of public backing from her colleagues. He said: "The part of it that really breaks my heart, and I have to say this, I am absolutely flabbergasted, agog, horrified, shocked, beyond dismayed and disappointed by the cowardly lack of support I have heard or for seen for you from people I would've expected it to come from."
Sawalha replied: "That teaches us a lot, it teaches us a lot. And different people make different decisions for their lives."
Context of Departure
Sawalha, 61, who has been married to Adderley since 2002, claimed she was 'messed around' by ITV producers who took her on and off the line-up after she voiced pro-Palestinian beliefs. She said she planned to sue the broadcaster over her treatment. She has not appeared on Loose Women for months.
Adderley, 55, who was suspended from the Green Party earlier this year, noted that Sawalha has had a long showbiz career. He added: "I felt something similar about the Green Party but I hadn't been a member for so long. I've been very lucky in that so much of my life is social media platforms and the channel but this is a world where you've been in it for so long where you've championed, defended, supported, looked after, lauded others."
Sawalha's Response
Sawalha, who appeared on the first episode of Loose Women in 1999, said she noticed a "culture of fear" in the industry. She said: "I am a bit odd. I'm half Arabic and we have been brought up...I have to pick this word now...I am quite tribal. You're a white man. People will all go 'Oh...'"
She added: "I am the odd one and I do believe there is a culture of fear in various places that I've worked where if you are shown to show any support for me because I am anti-Zionist and I am anti-genocide and I'm half Arabic then you would be in danger of being phased out of your job. That's what I worry about."
Sawalha told The Mirror: "I accept that there is a huge risk I will never work in television again." She also said two well-known ITV faces reacted to an Instagram video about her threat to sue, but she deleted it, saying: "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."
