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Putting together a presenting line-up of four of the most uninhibited and opinionated stars in showbiz and having them debate the biggest headlines of the day means that every episode of Loose Women is a potential scandal waiting to happen.
Over the years, the lunchtime panel show has had its fair share of controversial moments, with panelists past and present like Denise Welch, Coleen Nolan, Jamelia and Janet Street-Porter all making the headlines for some reason or another over comments they’ve made on the show.
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From tensions on the panel, to guests and their colourful language (not to mention the small matter of incidents like inviting viewers to comment on whether women’s behaviour can ever invite rape or Jamelia’s ill-advised remarks about plus-sized fashion), here are a handful of the most memorable Loose Women scandals from over the years…
1
Judy Finnigan's comments on 'non-violent rape'
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In her very first appearance on the Loose Women panel, Judy caused outcry with her comments defending convicted rapist Ched Evans and his potential return to football, insisting he'd "served his time".
She added: "The rape was not violent, he didn't cause any bodily harm to the person."
The backlash didn't exactly set Judy's time on Loose Women off to a flying start, and she made only a handful of appearances afterwards...
She added: "The rape was not violent, he didn't cause any bodily harm to the person."
The backlash didn't exactly set Judy's time on Loose Women off to a flying start, and she made only a handful of appearances afterwards...
2
Coleen Nolan vs Kim Woodburn
Coleen was brought together with her former Celebrity Big Brother adversary Kim Woodburn in an attempt to settle their feud.
However, things quickly turned nasty between the pair, with Kim breaking down as she discussed her traumatic childhood, before walking off the show and branding Coleen "lying trash".
Loose Women producers were heavily criticised for not intervening, while Coleen took a short hiatus after the debacle when she became the subject of abuse on social media.
However, things quickly turned nasty between the pair, with Kim breaking down as she discussed her traumatic childhood, before walking off the show and branding Coleen "lying trash".
Loose Women producers were heavily criticised for not intervening, while Coleen took a short hiatus after the debacle when she became the subject of abuse on social media.
3
Harvey Price drops the C-bomb
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Katie Price's son was responsible for one of the most infamous Loose Women moments ever, when he dropped the C-bomb live on air during a conversation about online trolling.
Katie immediately told Harvey off for his language, while host Andrea McLean issued a swift apology, but some viewers complained to Ofcom.
Katie immediately told Harvey off for his language, while host Andrea McLean issued a swift apology, but some viewers complained to Ofcom.
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'Is it ever a woman's fault if she is raped?'
This social media poll obviously landed the show in seriously hot water, with critics suggesting that a topic as serious as rape shouldn't be up for debate at all, in particular on a lunchtime panel show.
6
Janet Street-Porter comes for Prince George
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JSP has always been a polarising figure, but when she saw a photo of Prince George on the show and compared him to a "cross-dressing billionaire", she managed to raise even more eyebrows than usual.
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10
Jamelia talks older mums
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Plus-size fashion isn't the only hot topic that has landed Jamelia in hot water, though, after she was criticised for comments she made about women who choose to become mothers later in life.
One such critic was Tina Malone, who had a baby via IVF at 50 years old, who said she was "furious" with Jamelia, tweeting that at her age: "I am fitter, look better, have more energy, can cook, work, clean, and go [all night]... and I have a 32-year-old!! And Jamelia, I am wiser!!!"
It was later reported the Superstar singer had been dropped from the show as a result of the controversy.
One such critic was Tina Malone, who had a baby via IVF at 50 years old, who said she was "furious" with Jamelia, tweeting that at her age: "I am fitter, look better, have more energy, can cook, work, clean, and go [all night]... and I have a 32-year-old!! And Jamelia, I am wiser!!!"
It was later reported the Superstar singer had been dropped from the show as a result of the controversy.
11
Nadia Sawalha says being transgender is 'a trend'
ITV
Nadia was faced with a Twitter backlash when she suggested that the rise in children identifying as transgender was "the in thing" and compared it to "self-harm", calling it a "fashionable word that has been taken on".
12
Gloria Hunniford sparks upset with transgender comments
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In January 2019, Gloria sparked 30 complaints to Ofcom when she was accused of bigotry over comments she made during a debate about whether trans women should be allowed on female-only wards in hospitals.
"If a man still had his willy and his tackle, as far as I’m concerned, he/she is a man," Gloria stated.
Fortunately, Stacey Solomon was on the panel to offer a counter-opinion, saying: "Just as you wouldn’t want to be on a ward with the opposite gender, these women, who identify as women but have different body parts, they feel exactly they same as you – they do not want to be on a ward with men, because they have always felt they are a woman."
"If a man still had his willy and his tackle, as far as I’m concerned, he/she is a man," Gloria stated.
Fortunately, Stacey Solomon was on the panel to offer a counter-opinion, saying: "Just as you wouldn’t want to be on a ward with the opposite gender, these women, who identify as women but have different body parts, they feel exactly they same as you – they do not want to be on a ward with men, because they have always felt they are a woman."
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Coleen Nolan and her son
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Coleen Nolan caused a stir in 2005, when she suggested that if her 16-year-old son passed his exams, she would pay for him to to have sex with a sex worker in Amsterdam's Red Light District.
Despite criticism, Coleen stood by her comments at the time, insisting she'd rather he went there than a trip to Ibiza where he would "probably have unprotected sex with lots of girls".
She insisted: "I'd rather he does it somewhere well-policed and where the girls have health checks than behind the wall of a club in Ibiza." Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Shane Richie, said he was "appalled" by Coleen's suggestion.
Despite criticism, Coleen stood by her comments at the time, insisting she'd rather he went there than a trip to Ibiza where he would "probably have unprotected sex with lots of girls".
She insisted: "I'd rather he does it somewhere well-policed and where the girls have health checks than behind the wall of a club in Ibiza." Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Shane Richie, said he was "appalled" by Coleen's suggestion.
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Jacqueline Jossa hits out at the show
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The EastEnders actress blasted the show in 2016 when she claimed that her interview contained a line of questioning related to her fiancé's past relationship, and allegations of abuse and threats, which she'd not been briefed about beforehand.
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Sam Faiers' partner criticises show over kissing debate
But Jacqueline Jossa isn't the only celebrity to have issues with Loose Women over one of the show's debates.
Paul Knightley – best known as reality star Sam Faiers' partner – voiced his upset when the panel picked apart a scene from The Mummy Diaries in which he kissed his mother on the lips.
“I don’t like them bitches," Paul told Sam in a later episode of The Mummy Diaries, after learning the former TOWIE star would be appearing on the panel once again.
Paul Knightley – best known as reality star Sam Faiers' partner – voiced his upset when the panel picked apart a scene from The Mummy Diaries in which he kissed his mother on the lips.
“I don’t like them bitches," Paul told Sam in a later episode of The Mummy Diaries, after learning the former TOWIE star would be appearing on the panel once again.
18
THAT Katie Hopkins interview
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Shortly after her eviction from the Celebrity Big Brother house, Loose Women invited Katie Hopkins onto the show to offer her side of her time in the house.
However, the interview came under fire not because of what Katie said, but because of how quickly things turned personal between both Katie and the panellists.
However, the interview came under fire not because of what Katie said, but because of how quickly things turned personal between both Katie and the panellists.
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19
Former Loose Women hit out at show
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Loose Women staples Carol McGiffin and Denise Welch departed the show on acrimonious terms back in 2013, amid a change of top boss.
They later hit out at the show when they were 'airbrushed' out of the series' 18th birthday celebrations in 2017, both taking to Twitter to air their upset.
Interestingly, both Carol and Denise have since returned to Loose Women, and are still regularly featured on the panel.
They later hit out at the show when they were 'airbrushed' out of the series' 18th birthday celebrations in 2017, both taking to Twitter to air their upset.
Interestingly, both Carol and Denise have since returned to Loose Women, and are still regularly featured on the panel.
20
Linda Robson apologises to the entire city of Stoke-On-Trent
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Linda was on the show during a debate about a woman who was hit with a criminal record for picking up a £20 note she found in a corner shop.
She was later forced to issue an apology when noting that the shop in question looked "poor", adding: "It looks like they don’t have a lot of money, the people who shop in there."
The panellist eventually apologised, telling the Daily Star: "I’m really, really sorry if i’ve upset anybody."
She was later forced to issue an apology when noting that the shop in question looked "poor", adding: "It looks like they don’t have a lot of money, the people who shop in there."
The panellist eventually apologised, telling the Daily Star: "I’m really, really sorry if i’ve upset anybody."