Loose Women panellists are reportedly shaken by ITV's upcoming schedule overhaul, which will reduce the show's airtime to 30 weeks a year from January. The changes, announced this week, also affect Lorraine Kelly's programme, while This Morning remains unaffected despite declining viewership.
Sources claim older panellists, including Christine Lampard, Coleen Nolan, and Gloria Hunniford, were not informed before the public announcement. They fear being sidelined in favour of younger stars like GK Barry, Olivia Attwood, and Frankie Bridge, who are seen as 'PR friendly' and attracting a younger audience.
An insider told The Sun: 'The older panellists feel like until January they're on probation and pragmatic bosses will be scrutinising their every tweet, every rating and audience polling.' The source added that the atmosphere backstage is 'unbearable', with tension described as a 'time bomb'.
Pay disputes have also emerged, with some panellists resisting a switch from self-employed to PAYE contracts following HMRC tax rule changes. While all reportedly earn around £3,000 per episode, the tax implications have caused friction, with three stars threatening to walk out if issues aren't resolved.
An ITV source said assessments are done on a 'case-by-case basis', but the uncertainty has left many feeling they must prove their worth to keep their spots on the panel.
