Nadia Sawalha's husband and sister have criticised the lack of support she has received since leaving Loose Women, while departing panellist Denise Welch was showered with love from her co-stars.
Contrasting Exits for Two Panellists
Denise, 68, who has appeared on the ITV daytime series on and off since 2005, announced her decision to quit earlier this week, saying she wanted to concentrate on her "first love" of acting. In contrast, Nadia, who is half Palestinian, claims to have been "bullied off" the programme after complaints about her pro-Palestinian beliefs, and is now threatening to sue ITV.
Last month she received a "substantial" payout and apology from two newspapers that had printed false claims about her and husband Mark Adderley. But since announcing she had been forced off the programme, she has not been supported publicly by the other presenters.
Husband's Emotional Response
Yesterday Mark, a film producer and local councillor, said in a video post that the way she had been treated "breaks my heart". He declared: "I am absolutely flabbergasted, agog, horrified, shocked, beyond dismayed and disappointed by the cowardly lack of support I have heard or seen for you from people I would've expected it to come from."
In the video, posted to their YouTube channel, she replied: "Life teaches us a lot - and different people make different decisions for their lives."
Denise's Send-Off and Sister's Reaction
Denise, who recently appeared in Channel 4 drama Tip Toe and previously starred in Waterloo Road, Coronation Street, Benidorm and Hollyoaks, was met with howls of dismay when she announced she was leaving Loose Women on Tuesday. When Kaye Adams replied to the news, Nadia's sister Dina raged: "So your Instagram does work! After all of Nadia's support for you during your bullying allegations, you couldn't even LIKE her Daily Mail apology post, which is about as controversial as it gets. Wow, wow, wow!"
Kaye, 63, had posted: "Densy Squelch – you have broken my heart but I shall watch your Den-aissance with love and pride." Katie Piper, GK Barry, Judi Love and Nadia also joined Kaye in wishing Denise well. Katie said she was "gutted to be honest" adding: "Going to really miss sharing the panel with you." GK said: "Denise, I’m going to be so sad not to be on the panel with you any more you always brought so much joy to my day, can’t wait to see you on our screens."
Judi posted: "I’m going to miss you but I’m beyond excited to see your new chapter because baby girl it’s here and we are loving it." Nadia agreed: "You are such a fantastic actress. Fly high lovely." Ex-panellist Carol McGiffin also joined in, posting: "'Baaaabes, can't believe you stuck it out for so long! Upwards and upwards it is then. I won’t see you up there but hope to see you down here sometime!"
A spokesman for ITV's Loose Women said: "Denise has been such a brilliant part of the Loose Women family and we are going to miss her hugely on the show. We are sending her all of our love and best wishes for her next chapter."
Nadia's Claims and Plans to Sue
Yesterday Mark, 55, said he was surprised that his wife had not received more support from the programme team having "championed, defended, supported, looked after, lauded others" for many years. But Nadia, 61, sighed: "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. 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."
Since December 2023, Nadia claims to have been "speaking out against brutal oppression", while critics have accused her of promoting conspiracies about Israel and Jewish people. The presenter now plans to sue the broadcaster over her treatment, saying she was "sad" it had come to this, adding: "Believe me, I have appealed to ITV's hearts and minds, but to no avail."
Denise's departure statement said she had "wonderful memories" of her 21 years on Loose Women and said it was down to new acting opportunities being offered. Thanking her viewers and co-stars she said: "I'm very Marmite, but I cherish all the comments good or bad that I've had over the years and I just hope you wish me well for this new and exciting chapter in my life. I'll miss everybody but I will remain friends with the whole gang because we are a happy band of campers."
