01 September 2023 , 13:33
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Fans of Loose Women feared that panelist Penny Lancaster had quit the popular ITV daytime show amid reports of a "toxic" environment on set. But it seems this could not be further from the truth.
Fans had noticed Penny, 52, who had been a regular fixture on the daytime discussion programme since 2014, has failed to appear on the show over recent months. A representative for Penny, who is married to legendary singer Rod Stewart, was forced to halt the rumour mill and has now claimed her departure is simply due to a clash of work commitments. In a statement, Penny's rep said: "Penny has been approached to appear on the show in September but is only available for one date in the near future; a date that does not work for Loose Women."
Former Loose Women star Penny Lancaster reveals real reason she is no longer on the show (S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Carol McGiffin quit the show earlier this year (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)They told the MailOnline: "Penny has just returned from abroad after six weeks away; and she is off to South America shortly. Loose Women and we have agreed to look at the diary again on her return in October. It is obvious that Penny is no longer a regular panellist. This is purely due to other professional and personal commitments."
And they were quick to reiterate that Loose Women and Penny will always maintain a close relationship and, as and when she can, Penny will appear on the show as a guest. Speculation over Loose Women favourites quitting the show amid reports of toxicity comes off the back of Saira Khan's departure, who was the first to quit and speak out publicly. Carol McGiffin soon followed and quit ITV – explaining she had been forced to "step away" from the show after allegedly being asked to sign a contract which was "totally unjust and unworkable for me".
In her column with the Mirror, Saira explained the pandemic "certainly made me assess my priorities, values and how I want to move forward with my life".
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Speaking to Closer magazine two years ago, Saira revealed that bosses only allowed Stacey Solomon was allowed to be the fun one and she was left with the task of being the "loud, gobby one."
Former Loose Women star Saira Khan spoke out about the toxic nature of the show after she quit (ITV)She told the publication: "I couldn't be who I wanted to be on TV. On Loose Women you saw me being quite feisty. But that's the silo they put me in. I wanted to have a bit of fun, but that wasn't for me, that was for Stacey Solomon. Stacey was the fun one, but I had to be the 'loud, gobby one'."
But it seems the "straw that broke the camel's back" for Siara, 53, was when she was asked by a Loose Women employee if she would set up an OnlyFans account. In an exclusive interview with Mirror, she said: "The straw that broke the camel's back was when one of the young producers was sent running after me to ask whether I would be prepared to open an OnlyFans account."
Saira explained: "To say I was shocked was an understatement. I could see she herself was mortified to ask me. I replied, 'You're asking an Asian woman who has a husband and kids and comes from a Muslim family to open an OnlyFans account?' According to Saira, the ITV employee attempted to justify their question by claiming that it was no different to when the star posted pictures on her social media. Their agenda was allegedly to see what sort of reponse Saira would get as an undercover OnlyFans contributor. The former Loose Women star added: "There and then, I knew my time was up on the show. I felt humiliated, angry, disappointed and like fodder."
A spokesman for Loose Women said at the time: "We strongly refute all of these claims. Duty of care is of paramount importance for all of our panellists. Saira left the panel almost two years ago and we wish her well."