Coleen Nolan has opened up about the financial pressure she is facing after brutal budget cuts to Loose Women left her appearing in fewer episodes — and earning less money as a result.
The ITV daytime favourite has been taken off air for several weeks each year as part of wider cuts to the broadcaster’s daytime schedule, leaving many of its panellists worried about the impact on their income. Because most of the women are paid per episode, the reduced run has meant a direct hit to their earnings.
For Coleen, who has been a regular on the show since 2001, the changes have sparked real concerns about how she will keep on top of major bills. Admitting the cuts have left her out of pocket, she said: “On the one hand, it’s nice to have a bit more time off. But on the business side, I think, ‘I’ve got a mortgage to pay’.”
Her candid confession lays bare the reality behind the glamour of daytime television, with the veteran presenter making it clear that fewer episodes means fewer paydays. She also revealed that the situation has pushed her to look elsewhere for work, adding: “We get paid per show and I’m filming fewer shows. But it has given me more incentive to do other TV work.”
That extra drive to bring in money has already seen Coleen sign up for new projects, including the upcoming series of E4’s Celebs Go Dating, as she looks to top up her income amid the uncertainty surrounding Loose Women.
Speaking previously about the changes affecting the show, Coleen admitted the programme is set to feel very different under the new format. She said: “It’s just a different vibe, I think it will be okay but I’m just going to miss a lot of different people behind the scenes.”
She also revealed that the show will remain live, but without some of the familiar elements that helped shape its energy. “It will still be live but there will be no audience and I don’t think they are having guests. I just feel like it will be like a podcast but on live television,” she said.
Even so, Coleen insisted things could have been much worse, saying: “But, it could have been worse. They could have said: ‘By the way, we’re not recommissioning it. See you later.’ It’s still here, it’s still going.”
Still, she did not hide her disappointment over what will be lost. “I love having the audience there. You know, you get all the feedback from the audience and the adrenaline from the audience. So that’s going to be really weird for us,” she admitted.
Despite all the upheaval, Coleen also shut down the long-running rumours of tension among the Loose Women panel, insisting there is genuine affection behind the scenes. She said: “We all get on. We’ve got a WhatsApp group and support each other through everything. It’s like having 20 extra sisters.”
She added that while she is closer to some colleagues than others, the atmosphere off-camera remains supportive, naming Christine Lampard, Ruth Langsford and Brenda Edwards among those she is especially close to.
Coleen’s latest remarks paint a sobering picture of how ITV’s cost-cutting is affecting even some of its most recognisable stars — with the presenter now balancing loyalty to a show she still loves against the very real fear of paying the bills.
