ITV Loose Women's Penny Lancaster: Her Inspiring Career Shift and Health Battle Journey trucc

Penny Lancaster has been a familiar face on TV screens for decades, however, the Loose Women star has a life away from the spotlight

Penny Lancaster may be wed to the legendary Sir Rod Stewart, but the 54 year old has carved out her own successful career.

Making waves in the modelling world during the 1990s, Penny has since become a television favourite, appearing on numerous programmes throughout the years.

From BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, The Wheel, Tipping Point: Lucky Stars and serving as a regular panellist on Loose Women, Penny is well-accustomed to life in front of the cameras.

We're exploring the ITV personality's life beyond the public eye.

Last year, the ITV favourite revealed the devastating diagnosis faced by her sister-in-law, Louise, reports the Express.

During a Loose Women episode focusing on breast cancer and the vital importance of regular screening, Penny became emotional and broke down.

Penny revealed that Louise, who is partnered with her younger brother, received her cancer diagnosis at the exact moment Penny discovered she was expecting her third child.

Through tears, she explained: "I fell pregnant and I was so excited to tell them the news, and they didn't want to have to tell me in that same phone call that Louise had found a lump.

 
"She was so brave, and she was only 36! So with the NHS only screening at 50, women under the age of 50 must do that self-check because that was the only way she found it, because of the advice breast cancer care had given and about the checking."

In 2011, Louise opened up to the Daily Mail regarding her diagnosis, revealing she experienced discomfort in her right breast, describing it as tender and painful.

At the time, she said: "I pressed the palm of my hand flat onto my nipple, and directly behind it I felt a lump. It was like a cross between a pea and a broad bean."

Louise was subsequently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, though she successfully overcame the disease.

Whilst the ITV personality gained recognition as a model during the 1990s and currently presents Loose Women as one of the panel members, she embarked on an entirely different path six years ago.

The 54 year old chose to join the Metropolitan Police in London during 2019 as part of a television programme, but found the experience so fulfilling that she became an official constable in 2021.

Discussing her new career on Good Morning Britain, she explained: "When you think of policing, you think of the most violent crimes but we're out there to help the most vulnerable.

 
"At this particular time, there are a lot of incidents on the bridges, and I did help someone who was very desperate on the bridge the other night. It can be rewarding in so many ways."

Following her appointment as a constable, Penny served during Queen Elizabeth's state funeral and also worked at King Charles' coronation in 2023.

Penny has been candid about her dyslexia diagnosis, which she didn't receive until she was 46.

In 2018, the ITV personality spoke to The Mirror about her learning difficulty, revealing that her husband Rod provides tremendous support.

At the time, she remarked: "Rod has never made me feel in any way like I can't do things. I was asked to read a pledge at a charity event. I was in a panic but he said, 'Go on, Pen, you can do it.'

"I could hear him cheering for me and I read out the words. I didn't get them all right but I read them and I felt like bursting into tears afterwards because it was such a big deal for me."

Despite not receiving her diagnosis until later in life, Penny admitted that she always knew about her condition and received additional English lessons when she was younger.

Loose Women airs weekdays from 12:30pm on ITV and ITVX.