Vicky Pattison has cleared up rumours she was axed from ‘Loose Women’, after it emerged she is leaving the show after just nine months on the panel.
The ‘I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!’ winner was at the centre of conflicting reports about her departure, with The Mirror claiming it was her decision to leave due to her hectic schedule, while The Sun reported bosses had given Vicky the elbow due to her wild partying ways.
A source told The Sun: “Vicky has been dropped from the ‘Loose Women’ line-up in time for the start of the new series this week.
Meanwhile, an insider told The Mirror: “Vicky is young and the show is aimed at an older audience. Her diary has been jam packed ever since she left the jungle but ‘Loose Women’ was too good an opportunity to turn down.
Vicky has now had her say on the matter, insisting that she was only ever signed up to appear as a panellist over the summer, and had many other projects coming up which meant she couldn’t continue on the show.
Writing on Twitter, she said:
An official ITV spokesperson also added: “Vicky was only ever contracted to ‘Loose Women’ until the end of August.
“She has some hugely exciting projects coming up, which have made it impossible for her to carry on as a panellist for now.
“Vicky loved her time on the show and is hugely grateful for the opportunity.”
Earlier this week, ‘Loose Women’ fans bid farewell to long-serving panellist Sherrie Hewson, who made her last appearance, after 14 years on the show.
It was also announced that Stacey Solomon, Martine McCutcheon and Lisa Riley would be joining on a regular basis, having proved to be a hit with audiences during guest stints on the panel.
‘Loose Women’ airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.