Nadia Sawalha has broken her silence on the chaos at Loose Women as she choked back tears on Thursday.
ITV confirmed dramatic changes to their daytime TV schedule last week, with Lorraine Kelly‘s show slashed from an hour to 30 minutes and, like Loose Women, will only air 30 weeks of the year.
And now one of Loose Women’s most popular presenters has hit out as she described scenes of ‘shock and fear’ in the corridors at ITV after ‘hundreds’ of shock redundancies and pay cuts.
Speaking alongside her husband Mark Adderley on the couples YouTube channel she explained: ‘Do you know what, at the moment, all of us on screen are in work, and are proud of what we do.
‘But behind the scenes there are people that are really suffering, and what you don’t realise is when you attack the show you attack them, because you never see all the army of people behind the scenes and how hard they work.’
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Nadia Sawalha breaks down in tears as she speaks out on chaos at Loose Women after pay cuts and ‘hundreds’ of shock redundancies
Struggling to hold back her tears, she added: ‘So to all my friends and colleagues behind the scenes who have just got a huge shock out of the blue, I’m so sorry.
‘Mark knows how upset I’ve been at home about it. I just can’t bear it. So just be f*****g kind to people.’
It comes after MailOnline reported that the stars of Loose Women are ‘terrified’ by ITV’s cuts after bosses announced the daytime show will only air during school term times.
As well as Nadia, anchors Ruth Langsford and Kaye Adams, both 65, and Denise Welch , 66, are believed to be ‘angered’ and ‘panicked’ about their livelihoods being at stake, causing uproar behind the scenes.
Last week it was revealed some of the show’s stars are believed to be ‘furious’ and ‘insulted’ over the shake-up, and are already fearing inevitable job losses.
A source told The Sun: ‘It’s very tense backstage as the cast are all fuming. It’s like they’re putting on a brave face and doing the show through gritted teeth.
‘Some people’s pay could be cut by 60% as some get paid by the episode and they’ll be slashed next year.
‘For some it’s their main source of income and it’s worrying to everyone.’
Top TV talents including Lorraine, 65, whose career spans over 40 years, are believed to be ‘furious’ and ‘insulted’ over the shake-up while the Loose Women are already fearing inevitable job losses.
The new regime, set to come into effect in January, will cost a potential 300 staff members their jobs as a consultation period begins as soon as today, lasting until September, before employees are finally let go in December.
Insiders have revealed to MailOnline that it’s Christine Lampard , 46, who fears she will be most affected given she presents for Lorraine when she is on holiday and also anchors Loose Women, meaning her yearly work is now in jeopardy.
A TV source told MailOnline: ‘All of the presenters are in a state of panic and up in arms following ITV’s announcement.
‘These shows make up a large part of their livelihoods, so they are just as stressed and angry as the production staff, who have been told over 300 jobs are at risk.
‘Ruth, Kaye, Nadia and Denise, in particular, have been reaching out to the production team in a panic and to express how angry they are that ITV had made this decision.
It’s also believed that younger panelists like Olivia Attwood (pictured) could be favoured over veteran stars including Janet Street-Porter and Jane Moore
MailOnline understands Kaye Adams and Denise Welch (pictured 2024) are particularly angered by ITV’s changes to Loose Women, with them being integral parts of the panel
‘Lorraine is also furious that her show has been chopped to 30 minutes and moved to just 30 weeks of the year, the same as Loose Women.
‘She thinks it’s the ultimate insult after so many years at the channel, especially as Good Morning Britain is staying the same, with the current hours, airing every weekday of the year, as her show rates the same as they do.
‘Loose Women and Lorraine dropping down in their schedule will badly affect Christine Lampard, she anchors for both shows so most of her yearly work is now at stake.’
MailOnline understands the cast of Loose Women, which includes over 20 presenters such as Charlene White and Coleen Nolan, feel there will be no option other than for the broadcaster to let go of key talent, who have worked on the production for decades.
It’s also believed that younger panellists, like former Love Island contestant Olivia Attwood, 34, and influencer GK Barry, 25, could be favoured over veteran stars including Janet Street-Porter, 78, and Jane Moore, 63.
A Loose Women insider added: ‘At the moment there are about 20 presenters at the show, some are contracted, like Ruth, Kaye, Nadia, Denise, Janet, and Jane, and others are more ad hoc, like Myleene Klass and Sue Cleaver.
‘It is hard enough right now to give every contributor a fair number of shows and to keep everyone happy and on screen as much as they would like.
‘Now, the show will air just 30 weeks a year, so a lot of people are going to lose their jobs. There won’t be enough shows to go around, so it means presenters who have been on the series for 25 years may be kicked off the panel.’
