Former Loose Women star Saira Khan has admitted she had to “tolerate” some of her fellow panellists during her time on the show.
The former Apprentice candidate recently announced her departure from the ITV lunchtime show after five years.
Following her exit, Saira has hinted things were not as rosy behind the scenes as they appeared on screen, saying there are some co-stars who she “really doesn’t miss at all”.
Speaking on Scott McGlynn’s Celebrity Skin Talk on Instagram Live, Saira said: “You make friends with some people, you tolerate some people, and some people you just have to do a job with.
“I’m not going to go into the nitty gritty there now. But there are some friends, some people I will be close to because we share, because get each other. And there are some I really don’t miss at all who I was just like, ‘I just have to tolerate you to do the job’.”
Saira added: “You have to be professional about it. You can’t pretend that everyone is going to be your best friend. Especially on a show with opinions, you’re not going to tolerate everybody’s opinion.
“I think that’s fine. That’s not a problem, but you just do it with respect and you have to be open-minded.”
Saira did not make a final appearance on the Loose Women panel, instead announcing her departure in her Mirror column while the show was off air over the festive period.
She said she would be focussing on her skincare brand and developing her presence in the wellness space.
“It was a difficult decision, but when you feel there is nothing left to share on a show that is all about sharing, it’s time to bow out,” she said at the time.
Saira went on to call for Loose Women bosses to hire an LGBTQ panellist in her place, writing on Instagram: “That will help the show to be more reflective of the world we live in.”
She also said some of her fellow panellists have “had their time and they need to renew and refresh”, telling New magazine: “I don’t mean anyone in particular, to keep that show fresh and relevant you have to look around and you know when your time is up.”
Saira’s exit followed that of regular anchor Andrea McLean, who quit the show after 13 years.
She has since been replaced by ITV News journalist Charlene White.
Other members of the Loose Women panel include Denise Welch, Carol McGiffin, Brenda Edwards, Coleen Nolan, Judi Love, Gloria Hunniford, Ruth Langsford, Janet Street Porter and Stacey Solomon.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.