Loose Women



Loose Women is a British lunchtime television programme, first broadcast in 1999 on ITV. It consists of a panel of four women who interview celebrities and discuss topical issues, ranging from daily politics and current affairs, to celebrity gossip. Each series typically airs from the beginning of September of one year to the start of August of the next, while also taking a break over Christmas.

Due to a decline in ratings between January and June 2011, changes were made to the show upon the launch of its sixteenth series that September. Changes included a new lineup: anchor Kate Thornton and panellists Zoe Tyler and Coleen Nolan left the show, while new presenter Carol Vorderman and panellist Sally Lindsay both started on the programme

Panel
The panel comprises four women from various professions in the entertainment and journalism industries, including actresses, singers, authors, presenters, journalists and reporters. Although all four women are classed as presenters in the credits, one acts as the main anchor, linking to breaks and competitions and addressing the television audience.

Kaye Adams and Nadia Sawalha were the original presenters: Sawalha left in 2002, after the birth of her first child; Adams kept the role for the first ten series until the end of 2006, when she left to go on maternity leave. Adams was expected to return for a new series, but in August 2007 she confirmed in her newspaper column that after 7 years, she decided that she wanted to move on to other projects and would not be returning.

From 2007 to 2009, the anchor job was mainly shared by Jackie Brambles and Andrea McLean who each presented for two or three days every week, as well as covering for one another's leave. Following Brambles' departure in August 2009, Kate Thornton took over from her during the following month and continued to present the show in rotation with McLean until August 2011.

Following a relaunch in September 2011, the role of anchor is shared between McLean and Carol Vorderman, replacing Thornton. When one of the presenter is unable to host the show, usually the other presenter, or a guest presenter, will cover.

The panellists also rotate throughout the week, with three of them appearing on each show. Lisa Maxwell sits next to the anchor, Carol McGiffin sits in the next seat along, and Jane McDonald sits at the far end of the panel. If these panellists do not appear their seats are usually filled by Sally Lindsay, Janet Street Porter and Sherrie Hewson respectively. Denise Welchand Linda Robson move around to accommodate the other panellists.

Panellists who have never appeared together include Coleen Nolan and Lisa Maxwell, because of a feud about Coleen's ex-husband Shane Ritchie, and Denise Welch and Janet Street-Porterbecause of personality clashes.

[edit] Current Presenters
As of 8 March 2013, the programme's presenters are: