Loose Women's Carol McGiffin slams show as 'that little job' as she addresses return
Carol McGiffin has seemingly dashed any hopes of her making a comeback to Loose Women, as fans have been clamouring for her return, saying "it's not the same without you." The TV personality, who was a staple on the ITV panel from 2000 to 2013 and again from 2018 to 2023, hinted at no plans for a third stint after a controversial departure which saw her announce she'd been "forced" to leave.
Last year she revealed she was "upset" about leaving the likes of Nadia Sawalha and Denise Welch behind, saying: "I feel quite upset about it, if I'm honest, because although it is my decision, I felt like it was one I was being forced to make. No one in their right mind would have signed that contract and I can't see a way back from it."
Despite shutting down rumours of rejoining the daytime favourite, it appears Carol isn't hanging up her hat just yet. She teased that she's still in the game, telling her 154,000 Instagram followers that she's "not totally retired yet".
In a candid Instagram update, Carol also took the chance to promote her podcast, posting a photo of herself with a microphone and writing: "Apparently, some people are missing me," adding, "Not because I haven't been on here for ages but because I'm not on that daytime ITV show I used to do, Loose Women. Sadly that little job isn't coming back but I'm not totally retired yet! ".
She continued to plug her audio venture, "I'm still doing this podcast which is called 'What's Your Problem With Nick Abbot and Carol McGiffin? ' and it's available on most podcast outlets. We've been doing it for over four years and quite a lot of people like it! Go on, give it a go! You might enjoy it and you might even laugh.", reports the Daily Star.
Carol's loyal followers have been vocal in their support, with many admitting they've switched off Loose Women since her exit. One fan expressed, "Loose Women is utterly boring now. Stopped watching about 2 years ago. Carol only one worth listening to."
Another shared, "Loose Women is SO boring without you. All the good original people keep leaving." A third chimed in, "Loose Women is definitely not the same without you. Hardly watch it now. Didn't know you had a podcast - I do now so I will be tuning in."
Meanwhile, a fourth lamented, "Do miss you on Loose Women, turn off some days, can't stand some of them on the panel now, we've had the best I fear, enjoy your semi retirement."
In an interview with Best magazine about her decision to leave last year, Carol revealed that the offer made to her was simply untenable. She explained, "The problem was, ITV were insisting, for the first time since I went back in 2018, that if I wanted to carry on doing the show, I would have to sign a contract that was totally unjust and unworkable for me, so I had to say 'no thanks'."
