Loose Women made its big return on Monday, after it was taken off-air in March in accordance with precautionary social distancing measures.
The long-running panel show, which is traditionally filmed live in front of a packed studio audience, was back with panellists Andrea McLean, Brenda Edwards, Nadia Sawalha and Coleen Nolan taking part.
Andrea, Brenda and Nadia were sat far apart to maintain a 2m distance from each other amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, while Coleen chatted on the show via videolink from her home.
They’re back! Loose Women RETURNED on Monday with a new live show as they used Saturday Night Takeaway’s huge studio to ensure they can maintain social distancing while filming
Of their return to the live format, Andrea gushed: ‘Can you believe it’s been six weeks since we’ve all been together and seen each other?’
Talking about how much she missed her fellow panellists, Nadia added: ‘We’ve been chatting on our WhatsApp group about how frustrating it has been that we couldn’t see each other and chat to each other about things going on.’
Andrea explained that the show had been moved from its usual studio to the one normally reserved for Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway to ensure they could record the show while safely apart.
‘It feels like we are a little beacon of light in this huge empty studio,’ she admitted.
Maintaining social distancing: Andrea McLean, Brenda Edwards, and Nadia Sawalha appeared in the studio and sat 2m apart, while Coleen Nolan took part via videolink from home
Coleen went on to chat from home as she detailed her intricate home studio set-up that saw her tape a camera to a step ladder that was on her kitchen table.
She explained: ‘I’ve got a step ladder on my dining table with a lap on top of it, and I’m sitting on a high stool and trying to make it look effortless.’
While the three stars in the studio remained far apart to keep to social distancing rules, Nadia admitted she was ‘really nervous’ about appearing on the show.
New set-up: Andrea explained they had moved from its usual studio to the one normally reserved for Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway so they could record while safely apart
Struggle: While the three stars in the studio remained far apart to keep to social distancing rules, Nadia admitted she was ‘really nervous’ about appearing on the show
‘I was really nervous about coming in today, I’ve been in a bubble at home I was feeling safe in that bubble so I am nervous today,’ she explained.
‘The first week I was in a bad way because my dad had a heart operation. I was feeling high anxiety and I felt hopeless in that situation, I relied on Mark [Adderley, her husband].’
Meanwhile, Andrea admitted she was glad the lockdown happened in 2020 rather than 2019, as she ‘was in a terrible place.’
‘I had a breakdown which isn’t something I have spoken about,’ she said. ‘I had sorted myself out so I was in a really good place when this happened. I focus on what I could control rather than what I couldn’t.’
Thoughts: Meanwhile, Andrea admitted she was glad the lockdown happened in 2020 rather than 2019, as she ‘was in a terrible place’ because of a breakdown
Speaking from home: Coleen talked from her own home set-up in her kitchen, and showed off her newborn kittens much to the delight of the panel
Loose Women will have two live shows per week, with three presenters appearing in the London studio while the fourth stays home.
Alongside current topics, the returning show will also will focus on mental health issues as part of their award-winning Lighten the Load campaign.
Loose Women Editor, Sally Shelford said: ‘At Loose Women we have made it our mission to stop the stigma and start a conversation about mental health, covering issues from postnatal depression to anxiety and addiction.
‘With many of our viewers struggling with lockdown, speaking openly and honestly about mental health worries to offer comfort and advice has never felt more important.’
On our screens again: Loose Women will have two live shows per week, with three presenters appearing in the London studio while the fourth stays home
Helping others: Alongside current topics, the returning show will also will focus on mental health issues as part of their award-winning Lighten the Load campaign
In order to reduce footfall and minimise health risks within the studio, ITV will also air pre-recorded episodes during the week.
ITV Managing Director Daytime Emma Gormley added: ‘We are thrilled to be able to bring Loose Women back for brand new shows in the studio from Monday.
‘As we continue to respond to the crisis and adapt our shows accordingly we’ve made some temporary adjustments to enable us to get back on air whilst ensuring the safety of all of our teams.
‘We know our viewers have missed their daily lunchtime catch up with the Loose Women and we look forward to hearing from them all on Monday.’
On everyday: In order to reduce footfall and minimise health risks within the studio, ITV will also air pre-recorded episodes during the week alongside the live shows