STARS of Loose Women dazzle in a glitzy photoshoot to mark 25 years of the daytime favourite.
Eighteen of the series’ biggest names reveal what it means to be part of one of television’s longest-running panel shows.
Among them is Ruth Langsford, who says she and her fellow celebs have shared their own lives with millions of viewers — including divorce and “very difficult, painful things”.
Ruth, who announced her split from Eamonn Holmes in May after 14 years of marriage, adds: “I was on Loose Women from the very start.
“I have noticed a huge difference in how much more open people are talking about difficult subjects.
"I believe that we have helped bring that about, because we bring honesty to the show, we bring our own lives to it.
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“We talk about very difficult, painful things in our lives. But we know that reflects what people are going through themselves at home.
“And now we talk about Alzheimer’s, suicide, divorce, all sorts of things that were a little bit taboo, and I think it’s great we do that.”
It may be celebrating its quarter century but, incredibly, the first Loose Women episode almost did not air.
Just before going live in 1999, a problem was discovered with the sound from the studio.
An engineer frantically fiddled under a desk with a screwdriver as the clock ticked down, before emerging triumphant and giving a thumbs- up with only ten minutes to spare.
As social media did not then exist, the first panel of Kaye Adams, Nadia Sawalha, Jane Moore and Karren Brady spoke to viewers by phone.
Loose Women's Linda Robson reveals sex toy gift for her son in raunchy confession
The show was originally commissioned for a month.
To survive, it had to secure a 30 per cent audience share. But from the start, it captured viewers’ interest by opening political debate, breaking down taboos and sharing raw, emotional moments.
And on the final day of the month, it hit its audience target, securing the bright future it has today.
Panellist Ruth revealed that viewers often ask her if the presenters genuinely get on well together and she says: “My answer is always, ‘Yes, we do!’.”
And the family spirit behind the scenes was confirmed by former Love Island contestant Olivia Attwood Dack, who cherishes the warm welcome she got from Ruth on her Loose Women debut.
She says: “Ruth was so kind. In the breaks, she would check in with me, make sure I knew what was going on. It’s always stood out as something I’ll remember for ever. I really felt part of the team.”
Olivia believes the show’s power lies in the fact it has helped shape social attitudes.
‘Part of a big family’
She explains: “It’s brought so many taboo conversations into people’s lounges, and talked about so many things, whether it’s incontinence or domestic abuse or sexual health.
“It’s these conversations people don’t normally talk about. The show has done that beautifully. People shouldn’t be afraid to talk about them.”
Through the years, there have been light-hearted moments, too. Linda Robson’s 60th birthday skydive on the show was not just her most memorable moment, but the scariest thing she had ever done.
The Birds Of A Feather actress also got a massage from singer Michael Buble and taught him to speak Cockney. Linda says: “We’ve had some amazing guests over the years.”
Meanwhile, Denise Welch will always be grateful for the public’s support while dealing with her dad’s death, her marriage break-up and mental health issues.
Telling everyone at home I was pregnant and then having the babies, and announcing all of those things on the telly, was a huge privilege.
Christine Lampard
“I have lived with clinical depression for 35 years,” she says.
“For the 23 years I’ve been on the show, I’ve been talking about my battle with clinical depression. This has allowed me to reach millions and millions of people who also deal with that subject.”
Christine Lampard says that announcing the births of children Patricia, now five, and two-year-old Freddie, with husband Frank, are two of her best moments.
She adds: “Telling everyone at home I was pregnant and then having the babies, and announcing all of those things on the telly, was a huge privilege. You feel part of a big family.”
