A Loose Women panellist has reportedly threatened to boycott the show if Nadia Sawalha is allowed to return, amid allegations of antisemitic remarks. Sawalha, 61, has been absent from the ITV daytime programme since late April, with reports initially suggesting she had been axed.
Sawalha has denied these claims, calling them 'lies' on Instagram and stating she has not been suspended. However, according to The Sun, a 15-page dossier detailing her alleged antisemitic comments was handed to ITV bosses on Tuesday, accusing her of 'peddling in antisemitic conspiracy theories, tropes and rhetoric'.
The dossier reportedly claims Sawalha mocked antisemitism allegations and promoted a false claim that Israel had passed a law to 'hang Muslims and Christians'. An insider told The Sun that one panellist has made it 'crystal clear' they will refuse to work with her, while others consider her a 'loose cannon'.
There is also bitterness over the belief that bosses have been protecting Sawalha, with one source saying: 'Other stars have been hung out to dry or quietly iced out over relatively small misdemeanours, yet execs seem determined to defend Nadia.' The controversy comes after ITV reduced budgets for the show last year, raising fears that advertisers may walk away.
