Carol McGiffin aims fresh dig at Loose Women as Denise Welch announces exit from ITV show
Carol McGiffin has taken a pointed dig at Loose Women following the news that her close friend Denise Welch has walked away from the ITV daytime programme after more than two decades.
The 69-year-old former Coronation Street actress revealed she was stepping down to concentrate on her acting career, prompting Ms McGiffin, 66, to respond in the comments section of her former co-star’s social media post.
“Baaaabes, [three clapping emojis] can’t believe you stuck it out for so long! Upwards and upwards it is then. I won’t see you up there but hope to see you down here sometime,” Ms McGiffin wrote.
The remark carried a clear implication that the show was not worth staying on, echoing sentiments Ms McGiffin has expressed since her own departure three years ago.
Ms McGiffin first joined the Loose Women panel in 2000 and remained until 2013, before making a comeback alongside Ms Welch five years later.
The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant made her last appearance on the programme in 2023.
She has previously spoken about growing frustration with being dictated to about what she could and could not express on air.
Ms McGiffin branded the show “too woke” and revealed she had been reprimanded over her wardrobe, specifically for showing too much of her arms.
Carol McGiffin had stints on Loose Women from 2003 to 2013 and 2018 to 2023 |
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Her departure also came amid controversy after she faced a backlash for claiming the media had “brainwashed” the public regarding the impact of coronavirus.
Known throughout her career for her unfiltered opinions, Ms McGiffin has made clear she has no regrets about leaving.
The broadcaster, who was once married to TFI Friday presenter Chris Evans during the 1990s and later wed Mark Cassidy roughly a decade ago, has declared that her time on mainstream television is permanently finished.
“It’s too difficult to work in television anymore. So, I don’t want to go back. Not just to Loose Women. I’ve just got no interest in being on mainstream TV. Not that anyone would employ me!” she said.
Denise Welch made her debut on Loose Women as a guest panellist in 2002 | GETTYSpeaking to TNT talk radio, Ms McGiffin reflected on how dramatically the industry has shifted since her early days.
“I always look back at when I started working in television and radio as the good old days because they were much less policed, I suppose.
“Much less restricted and it was a freer place to be,” she explained, adding that people now take offence at things that would never have caused upset previously.
The programme has been through a turbulent period in recent months, with budget cuts slashing the show’s air time.
Carol McGiffin first joined the Loose Women panel in 2000 and remained until 2013, before making a comeback alongside Ms Welch five years later
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Adding to the upheaval, panellist Nadia Sawalha has been absent from the show since April.
The former EastEnders star has announced her intention to take legal action against ITV, believing she has been singled out for voicing her support for Palestinian rights.
“I accept that there is a huge risk I will never work in television again,” Ms Sawalha told The Mirror.
While colleagues have privately rallied behind her, Ms Sawalha claimed most are afraid to show their backing publicly, fearing repercussions for their own careers.
She expressed sympathy for those in that position, saying she felt “sad that there is an atmosphere of fear.”
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