ITV Loose Women statement in FULL as popular show set for another huge shakeup

The editor of Loose Women is set to leave her role, ITV has announced.

The broadcaster confirmed Sally Shelford has decided to end her reign following a lengthy period in charge, and it is understood many of the show's stars are concerned about keeping their spots. The programme, which first aired in 1999, is likely to be trimmed down from 2026, as ITV is cutting budgets across its daytime schedule.

It is not the only hit show to be affected asLorraine will instead run for half an hourand for 30 weeks a year. Loose Women, Lorraine and This Morning will move to a shared studio location in Covent Garden where the three shows will be produced by just one team, with 220 jobs set to go.

And Sally won't be in her role from January, with Vivek Sharma – who already edits This Morning and Lorraine – primed to undertake the leadership position. Sally's departure is also said to be a hit to the cast as she "knows the women well" and "who will go on with who".

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Following the announcement, ITV has issued a statement, which reads in full: "After almost a decade at the helm of Loose Women, winning three Royal Television Society Awards, two BAFTA nominations, launching powerful campaigns and expanding the Loose brand with Loose Men, a successful podcast and a live nationwide tour, Sally feels the time is right to hand the Loose baton on. She will continue as Loose Women Editor until the New Year."

The broadcaster celebrates Sally's lengthy tenure, during which Loose Women has won several awards, such as the Best Daytime Programme gong at the Royal Television Society in 2021.

But, as the Mirror reported on Monday, there is now concern for the lunchtime programme. Speaking about the huge cuts, an insider told us: "It’s not a case of viewers seeing less of their shows… it’s impossible to see how the high standards will remain the same.

"Some staff believe Loose Women and Lorraine in particular will enter a death spiral… it’s just so sad. Just a handful of people will be working on each of those two programmes which has huge ramifications for how they are going forward."

Regular panelist Nadia Sawalha ecently admitted she was “totally devastated” at the loss of the studio audience and spoke out in support of her close friend and warm-up artist Lee Peart, who lost his job as a result.

The actress and presenter said: "The audience is so important for the show. What a lot of people don’t realise is that we’re self-employed. Every contract is a new contract - I could be let go tomorrow or in five years. It’s brutal."