28 February 2023 , 08:58
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Andrea McLean 's life since quitting Loose Women hasn't always been smooth sailing.
The broadcaster decided to walk away from the ITV panel show after 13 years after experiencing a nervous breakdown and living through a global pandemic forced her to reconsider her priorities.
Earlier this week, the 53-year-old issued a health update to her fans as she admitted her illnesses have left her bedridden for days at a time after pushing her 'tired body'.
Fans praised Andrea for speaking openly about her health struggles on Instagram, but this isn't the first time the Scottish star has been candid about the harder aspects of her life.
The former Loose Women panelist has been through a lot since she last appeared on the ITV show (ITV)Money struggles
Last year, Andrea admitted quitting Loose Women severely impacted her bank balance - with the star missing out on just more than a salary from ITV.
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She explained that although she had factored in the loss of her anchor salary as the 'breadwinner' she suffered an unexpected financial setback when the plug was pulled on cash she earned from brand endorsement deals.
Speaking on the Secure The Insecure With Johnny Seifert podcast, she said: 'When I made the announcement I was leaving TV to follow my heart and dreams, go all in on This Girl is On Fire, obviously we put a lot of planning into this moment because obviously it’s a huge jump.
Andrea has some tough conversations with her husband before quitting Loose Women (INSTAGRAM)
The mum-of-two lost multiple brand deals just weeks after quitting"I was the breadwinner and this was the job that was paying the bills but everyone in TV does jobs as well."
Andrea then revealed that she and husband Nick Feeney discussed in depth the logistics of her huge career change as she pursued her own path penning a motivational book about her experiences.
She said: "I had enough corporate work lined up that was going to keep the funds coming in before I wrote This Girl’s On Fire and get traction so it was a calculated decision.
Andrea was the breadwinner in her household before quitting Loose Women
The TV star saw brand deals 'disappear overnight' after her last appearance on the ITV show (WireImage)''On the day that I announced I was leaving, every brand dropped me... so I went from, 'OK I knew I had this amount of money coming in and this much work that will see me through to the next six to eight months,' it disappeared overnight.
''That’s how big a deal moving away from TV is. It was financially like a punch in the stomach, my safety net was gone. I was like, "Oh my god I only have my savings. I can't turn back and change my mind. I have no over income."
House sale
One month on from quitting Loose Women in 2021, Andrea revealed how hard the decision had been for her and admitted she agonised over the decision for months.
In an interview with OK! Magazine she explained how she and husband Nick prepared for the worst before she broke the news she was walking away from the ITV panel show.
Andrea's big career change caused some worries for the star and her family (ITV)"It took months of thinking about it. We were preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Nick and I sat down and wrote what we needed to prepare for," Andrea recalled in 2021.
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"Worst case - we would have to sell the house. Best, the This Girl Is On Fire membership and website we've set up works and we're successful with that."
Andrea and Nick now both work full time on their joint venture, with Nick's daughter also on board.
Third marriage
Andrea is now happily married to Nick, with the pair even running a successful business together, but the broadcaster was once embarrassed about the fact her current beau is her third husband.
The mum-of-two was previously married to BBC producer Nick Green, with whom she shares son Finlay with, but the pair called it quits when Andrea found love with fellow Our House presenter Steve Toms.
Steve and Andrea welcomed daughter Amy into the world November 2006 but split in 2012, just three years on from tying the knot.
Andrea and Nick became husband and wife in 2018 (Instagram/staceysolomon)
The pair are still happy and even business partners (Instagram/iamsairakhan)Andrea tied the knot for a third time with current husband Nick in 2018 after four years of dating - with the former Loose Women confessing she didn't expect to find love again.
"I never thought I'd feel like this again, that I'd fall in love and get the chance to start a new life," she told HELLO! magazine shortly after marrying Nick.
"It's been a revelation to him too. And because we make each other so happy, it's changed our lives. So many people have commented on how much more positive I've become since I met him. Thanks to Nick, I'm no longer looking backwards, I'm looking forwards."
Health battles
In a lengthy post shared on Instagram this week, Andrea candidly told how her health woes have left her bedridden over recent days as she updated her 301,000 followers.
Andrea confessed that she has been left suffering with exhaustion and is awaiting test results.
Alongside a selection of images of her and husband Nick, another picture with her mum and a final snap of her beloved dog, Andrea penned: "Things I did to fill my cup this week, that weren’t to do with work…
Andrea shares a series of snaps as she opened up about her health woes (Instagram)
The TV star mused it was an 'episode of one step forward, three steps back' (Instagram)"1. I went out with @nickfeeneycoach to support my lovely friend @brendaedwardsglobal on the one year anniversary of the passing of her son Jamal. It was a beautiful, poignant evening.
"Unfortunately, I ended up poorly in bed for three days afterwards. I had pushed myself at the gym that day, which was too much for my tired body.
"So, another episode of one step forward, three steps back.
"I am now awaiting blood tests to see why I have been poorly for so long now - it’s over three months of absolute exhaustion. The thinking is that it is Covid/autoimmune related. It’s a nuisance!
Fans sent Andrea love as she shared the update on Instagram (WireImage)"2. I was luckily well enough to get dressed up and take my mum out on Friday for a pamper day as a belated Christmas present. So nails done and to our local Ivy for a late lunch. It was really lovely.
"3. We went round to mum and dads for another late lunch yesterday, with them and joint friends. It was lots of fun - and crossed three decades, we are in our 50s, our friends are in their 60s, mum and dad are in their 70s! How did that happen?
"4. We took @teddymcfeen for a walk, our usual Sunday thing. Here’s to a happy, healthy week ahead. What did you do to fill your cup this week?"
Andrea's fans and celebrity pals rushed to the comments section to send their messages of support.