Loose Women is a daily panel show on ITV, with viewers tuning in to watch the presenters discuss a whole manner of topical subjects. On Monday, the programme did air as to schedule, but it won’t broadcast for the rest of the week due to a major sporting event. This will stay in place until Friday, so fans won’t be getting their next dose of the show until next week.
This isn’t the first time the panel show has been taken off air, as sporting events airing throughout the year usually leads to disruption.
Instead of football or rugby however, the rest of the week will see the broadcaster cancel their afternoon programming for horse racing.
With the Cheltenham Festival kicking off earlier this week, coverage from the Gloucestershire course will be presented by Ed Chamberlin, 46, and Francesca Cumani, 37.
However, the lunchtime news bulletin and the budget yesterday have followed the end of This Morning over the past few days, taking up the first 30 minutes if not all of the Loose Women slot.
READ MORE: The Chase’s Anne Hegerty shuts down Andrea McLean as she huge slip-up
In the past, Loose Women has broadcast for 30 minutes before handing over coverage to the racecourse, but the current coronavirus outbreak is putting the bulletins as paramount importance.
Coverage from Cheltenham will wrap up at around 4:30pm each day, meaning quiz programming will still go ahead as per the daily schedule.
Prior to the panel show not broadcasting, the show’s official Twitter page informed fans of the disruption ahead of today’s cancelled transmission.
Along with a video of some of the presenters, the caption of the post read: “Have you heard #LooseWomen won’t be on TV for the rest of the week?”
Whilst a third commented: “Going to miss my favourite day time programme, ladies enjoy what you have planned for the following days.”
Along with the show returning next week, a former panellist could be making their way back to join the panel.
Following her decision to stand down as host of Channel 5 series Cruising With, Jane McDonald, 56, has hinted at her next role.
The television sweetheart was a regular member of the ITV programme from 2004 to 2014, being both a permanent and temporary panellist over the course of the decade.
Speaking on This Morning, Jane said: “I feel that it’s time to step aside and pass the baton on.
“I’ve had the most amazing time and I thank Channel 5 for the experiences that I’ve had,” before being asked about Loose Women.
“I will always come and visit Loose Women, you know I will. I love being there, I love it, and I owe so much to Loose Women as well.”
Could she be back to front the programme once more?
Loose Women returns Monday 16 March at 12:30pm on ITV.
