ITV faced criticism on Wednesday after it dropped Loose Women from its schedule on International Women's Day to make way for coverage of the Budget. Viewers took to social media to express their frustration at the irony of replacing a show fronted by four women with a male chancellor delivering economic figures.
Sarah Armstrong tweeted: 'Coming home from uni to find Loose Women had been replaced by the chancellor budget was below par.' Jan added: 'Cannot believe that Loose Women is not on TV on International Women's Day,' while Mark Williams called the decision 'a bit weird'.
Ruth Langsford had informed viewers on Tuesday that the show would be absent for one day only, saying: 'Just to remind you we're not here tomorrow because of an ITV News Budget special. I'm sorry, but the good news is we are back on Thursday and Gok Wan will be here.'
Despite this, many fans were disappointed. Amy Lawson tweeted: 'No Loose Women on International Women's Day = Sad times.' Bridget Sears questioned: 'Most people just want the bullet points of the budget which we can get on the news and internet - did ITV really need to cancel Loose Women?'
However, some defended the decision. Iona Bain said: 'Quite right that Loose Women is replaced by #Budget2017 on ITV on #IWD2017. Taking an interest in economics is in every woman's interest.' Another viewer noted the cancellation was 'not an outrage', adding: 'Women not having access to sanitary products is. Priorities.'
Loose Women will also be pulled from the schedule for four days next week due to ITV's coverage of the Cheltenham Festival, airing only on Monday.
