Loose Women will not air for the rest of the week, host Ruth Langsford confirmed on Wednesday's show. The popular daytime programme, which typically airs weekdays following This Morning at 12:30pm, will be absent from screens on Thursday and Friday (July 9 and 10) due to ITV's coverage of horse racing.
During the July 8 episode, Langsford, 66, was joined by Kelly Brook, Janet Street-Porter, and Brenda Edwards. As the show concluded, she told viewers: "That is it from us for today and for this week, actually, as we're off for ITV's coverage of the races. We'll be back next Monday as usual at 12:30."
Racing Coverage Takes Over Daytime Slot
On Thursday, viewers can expect Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani to front live racing coverage from Newmarket. The broadcast will begin at 1:00pm, meaning This Morning will be extended by an extra half hour, finishing at 4pm.
This is not the first time Loose Women has faced disruption. Last month, the show took a brief hiatus due to the Royal Ascot festival, which ran from Tuesday, June 16 to Saturday, June 20.
Lorraine Also Off Air
Scottish presenter Lorraine Kelly recently announced that her own show would also be off air for the next few weeks. Signing off on Friday, July 3, she told viewers: "That's all from us for now. I am away for a wee while. I'll really miss you, but I will see you very, very soon." The return date for Lorraine remains unclear.
ITV's Daytime Schedule Changes
ITV implemented a series of alterations to its daytime lineup at the start of the year, with Lorraine reduced from an hour to just 30 minutes. Additionally, both Lorraine and Loose Women now air for 30 weeks annually, down from their previous 52-week run.
Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV's Media and Entertainment Division, said: "I recognise that our plans will have an impact on staff on-screen in our Daytime production teams. We will work with ITV studios and ITN as they manage these changes to produce the shows differently from next year, and support them through this transition." He added: "Daytime has been a core element of ITV's schedule for over 40 years and these changes will set ITV up to continue to bring viewers award-winning news, views and discussion as we enter our eighth decade."
Loose Women is available to watch on ITVX.
