Carol McGiffin has launched a scathing attack on Loose Women after she made a sudden exit from the show earlier this year.
Carol, 63, was a longstanding fixture on the ITV daytime talk show, having been a regular host during lengthy periods between 2000 and 2023.
However, in May this year, she announced that she had left the team, explaining in her column for Best magazine: “The problem was, ITV were insisting, for the first time since I went back in 2018, that if I wanted to carry on doing the show, I would have to sign a contract that was totally unjust and unworkable for me, so I had to say ‘no thanks.’”
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Carol claimed she was ‘forced to make’ the decision to leave the job, adding: “No one in their right mind would have signed that contract. And I can’t see a way back from it.”
After reports that she was made to ‘quit’ after sharing unpopular opinions about Covid, the presenter told GB News’ Dan Wootton that Loose Women had gone ‘very woke’, saying she no longer felt she ‘fit’ into it.
“They come back and say we support free speech but I can't see it, I can't really see it – from where I'm sitting, anyway,” she said of ITV, which said in a statement at the time: “Any theories around Covid discussed by Carol on a platform outside of ITV would be her personal opinions, have not been broadcast as part of Loose Women and do not represent the views of ITV.
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“Here at ITV we encourage free speech, but equally are fully committed to responsible broadcasting and adhering to the OfCom code.
“ITV will not comment on speculation around individual contracts. We understand that Carol has decided to leave Loose Women and we wish her well in any future projects.”
Now Carol has hit out at the show again, saying she misses working with her former co-stars, but not being on the series itself.
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Speaking about her exit to Woman’s Own magazine, she said: “No, I don't miss Loose Women at all. My pronouns are P and Off. It's just very woke and I can't deal with the wokeness. I know I wasn't really welcomed.
“That's not why I am not there. I am not there because of other stuff.”
When Carol posted about leaving on Instagram in May, many of the co-workers she’d hosted alongside over the years expressed their sadness.
Coleen Nolan commented: “Oh Carol I’ll miss you so much! But you’re right, you shouldn’t be dealing with stress! Love you loads.”
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Denise Welch said she felt truly ‘gutted’, while Brenda Edwards told her: “Carol, I always enjoy when you are on as we have such a laugh, but you of course must always do what is best for you! I really hope I get to see you again love you lots lovely lady. Keep Smiling.”
Tyla has contacted ITV and Loose Women for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Loose Women, TV And Film
Jess Hardiman