Author: bang5

Actor Larry Lamb has revealed that the Gavin & Stacey Christmas final will. be his last ever TV job

The Gavin & Stacey Christmas finale was watched by millions of fans on Christmas Day – but one for one of the stars it will be the last time they will be seen on screen. Larry Lamb today announced his plans to step away from acting for good.

The star, 77, said he was delighted to end his illustrious career by playing Mick Shipman in the BBC sitcom. Larry said he is happy to end on a high and let others perform the ‘bigger roles.’

As well as starring as loveable patriarch Mick in the Ruth Jones and James Corden written sitcom, Larry was also known as the evil Archie Mitchell in EastEnders.

However, Larry said out of all the roles he’s held in his six decades long career, playing Gavin & Stacey’s Mick will always be his favourite.

Gavin & Stacey: The Finale (BBC) Moment where Mick (Larry Lamb) stands up in the church and Smithy (James Corden) realises he cannot marry Sonia (Laura Aikman)

He said today: “You get so involved with these characters that they become your favourite at that time, they are the focus of your life, but to finish up in my 70s playing a character like Mick who is beloved by millions of people, you have to give the writers credit… at this stage in my career Mick is the closest to my heart.”

He continued: ‘I have had a very fortunate career; I’ve done so much that I am really proud of that maybe not so many people know. I have worked at the Royal Shakespeare company, the National Theatre, I have been in 12 West End shows, I have done all the principal fringe theatres in London, on Broadway, I have been very lucky and now I am quite happy to let someone else play the big roles.’

Mick said a lot of people don’t realise the variety of his acting career. “If you have been through a life in entertainment and people don’t all know you to suddenly where pretty much everybody knows you as a character…

‘I find it’s a reward, it’s better to be known than unknown as far as I’m concerned. Particularly if you are known as a character that people really love… what a way to finish your working life,” he told the Daily Mail.

As Archie Mitchell, with Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) on EastEnders on 2008
Larry reunited with the Gavin & Stacey cast at the Bafta Awards in May this year where they were expected to take home the Memorable TV Moment award.

However, they were pipped by Chris McCausland on Strictly Come Dancing as the blind comedian performed a ‘blackout dance’ with the lights turned down.

Gavin & Stacey picked up a nomination for the moment Smithy asks Larry’s character Mick ask for his opinion before deciding not to marry girlfriend Sonia.

Larry said Ruth Jones had asked him to speak on behalf of the actors and crew if the award had gone their way.

Speaking after fans finally got to see the long-awaited and much hyped finale, Larry said he was ‘relieved’ it was over.

He said: “In a funny, sad sort of way I’m relieved that it’s finished because in the end people were desperate to see the end of it, and then to know that the whole thing’s all been wrapped up, the story’s told, and it’s had its life.

“You know, that’s what I like about it – we can all sit back and say this is a completed story.”

The show’s Christmas 2024 finale episode saw Neil “Smithy” Smith, played by co-writer James Corden, finally decide to marry Vanessa “Nessa” Jenkins, played by fellow co-writer Ruth Jones, after leaving Sonia (Laura Aikman) at the altar.

Prior to the final episode, the show spanned for three series following the lives of Essex-born Gavin and his Welsh wife Stacey and their friends and family, after they first met on work phone calls.

Katie Price has recently opened up about not being invited to her eldest daughter’s 18th birthday party, as she said “certain people don’t think it’s good for Princess to be seen with me”

Katie shared a sweet message(Image: @katieprice/instagram)

Katie Price has reached out to her daughter Princess after being banned from her 18th birthday party. The mum-of-five has taken to her Instagram story to share a sweet message with her eldest daughter.

She shared a quote calling Princess “the most beautiful girl ever” as she tagged her as well. The message read: “Name a girl that can wear no makeup, no fake lashes and still be the most beautiful girl ever.”

Princess has made it clear she doesn’t plan on undergoing cosmetic surgery, stating she’s been “put off for life” after seeing the impact on her mother. Katie said she would support Princess if she did opt to have tweakments in the future but said she wanted her to wait until she was at least 21. Katie was just 18 when she underwent her first boob job.

Katie posted the huge compliment to her teenage daughter despite apparent family tension lately. Kate wasn’t invite to Princess’ 18th birthday party, but it seems that she isn’t holding any hard feelings.

Katie Price reached out to daughter Princess

The former glamour model revealed that she was banned from the celebrations, but the decision wasn’t down to Princess. She talked about the situation on the most recent episode of her Katie Price Show podcast alongside her sister Sophie.

Katie wished Princess a happy birthday as she explained: “Princess is now officially an adult so mummy and Princess can now go out together. If certain people would let her be seen with me.”

After discussing with Sophie, Katie then went on to speak about Princess’ new documentary which Katie is also not involved in. Katie said: “Everyone knows she’s doing this documentary – and I’m not in it. Certain people don’t think it’s good for Princess to be seen with me. Certain people that used to look after me.”

This is when Sophie hit back with why she thinks Katie isn’t allowed to be involved. Sophie said: “You aren’t on brand Katie. You are too risky Katie that’s why.”

Katie then seemed to start to talk about Peter Andre and their old PR team who now manage her ex husband and their children Junior and Princess. She explained: “It’s pathetic. I’m her mother. It’s sad. It’s so sad. When certain people who used to look after me are now looking after…”

It’s thought that the reason Katie wasn’t invited is because the party was going to be filmed for Princess’ documentary. Katie hit back: “The fact is there’s stuff my daughter is doing and I’m not allowed to be seen at any of it.

“Certain people who are filming Princess’ documentary used to do my filming. It’s fine, it’s just there’s always conflict of interest. People will cotton on to this. So we do have to do something for Princess’ 18th.”

While Princess had her 18th party, Katie jetted off to Ibiza to enjoy the summer sun. She has been documenting her holiday on social media where she has been rubbing shoulders with other celebs.

Katie was spotted being pictured at Wayne Lineker’s Ocean Beach Club, where she was seen hanging out with the owner and fellow guest Conor McGregor.

Associate Editor Tom Bryant reflects on meeting Masterchef star Gregg Wallace who opened up about his fears over losing his job during an extraordinary interview in late 2023

The Mirror’s Tom Bryant opens up about meeting Gregg Wallace(Image: Tim Merry/Daily Mirror)

After I spent a morning in Gregg Wallace’s company, I felt like I needed a lie down. Meeting him to record an episode of my podcast, he was – at first – everything I had expected him to be: brash, extrovert and very loud.

In fact, he was not unlike his persona on BBC show MasterChef, with his booming voice and cockney cackle of a laugh. But after a few hours with him in late 2023 – and a very revealing interview – I came away with a very different perspective of the former Peckham greengrocer. Namely: how has this clearly troubled man with a host of demons risen to the top of the TV pile and stayed there for so long?

The Mirror’s Tom Bryant opens up about meeting Gregg Wallace(Image: Tim Merry/Daily Mirror)

After I spent a morning in Gregg Wallace’s company, I felt like I needed a lie down. Meeting him to record an episode of my podcast, he was – at first – everything I had expected him to be: brash, extrovert and very loud.

In fact, he was not unlike his persona on BBC show MasterChef, with his booming voice and cockney cackle of a laugh. But after a few hours with him in late 2023 – and a very revealing interview – I came away with a very different perspective of the former Peckham greengrocer. Namely: how has this clearly troubled man with a host of demons risen to the top of the TV pile and stayed there for so long?

Under-fire: Gregg Wallace has been axed from Masterchef(Image: Pixel8000)

It’s pertinent now as his career lies in tatters amid a swirl of accusations. This week alone we learned that 50 more people have made claims about him to BBC News.

Most accuse him of inappropriate sexual comments. Eleven women accuse him of ­inappropriate sexual behaviour, which he denies. If the claims against him are true, you can see in a heartbeat why he was relieved of his job as MasterChef co-host, a role he had since 2005.

When I met him, I found it hard to comprehend how he coped in the glare of the public eye. The answer was that he didn’t.

During our recording in the basement of a private members’ club in Soho in London’s West End, he talked about how being on TV exacerbated his mental health struggles.

It was a candid chat. But there was a niggling thought at the back of my mind that things wouldn’t end well.

I couldn’t put my finger on it – and I still struggle to – but 20 months later, the situation has well and truly imploded. He had revealed how the more famous he got, the worse his anxiety grew. He told me: “I used to not be able to go on holiday without getting anxiety attacks.”

At one point, Gregg looked me in the eye as he said how he lived in constant fear his career could end at any moment.

He said: “Why was I always scared of losing my job? Why was I always scared of losing my house? Why was I always scared of being poor?”

Being on telly made his anxiety levels soar. “TV is terrible for someone with anxiety,” he said. “I’ve had the same PA for 12 years. She went, ‘My word, you picked the wrong profession.’”

His stint on Strictly was a disaster. BBC bosses were so worried they got a therapist for him mid-series.

He said: “I was having a tough time. I was really stressed – so badly that the side of my face broke out into a rash, like cold sores.”

Gregg Wallace: worried about losing his job(Image: PA)

He told me his fourth wife Anna pleaded with him for them to quit the UK and live in Italy, asking him: “Is this worth it?”

A lot of his issues stemmed from a childhood blighted by abuse. Aged eight, he was sexually assaulted by a babysitter’s husband. Gregg told me: “I didn’t tell anybody at the time. I did tell my mum when I was older but she didn’t seem to want to know.”

He said of the abuse: “It was quite a horrendous situation for a young boy.”

Clearly, none of this could excuse some of the appalling behaviour heis now accused of.

There are some who may question why Gregg was on TV in the first place given his fragility. But mental health problems should not preclude you from your chosen career.

And I’m told that producers ­recognised he needed help and assigned him a full-time welfare specialist over the past six months.

This week he claimed to have received a formal autism diagnosis. Gregg, 60, said on Tuesday: “My neuro-diversity, now formally ­diagnosed as autism, was suspected by colleagues across countless seasons of Master-Chef. Yet nothing was done to ­investigate my disability or protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment for 20 years.”

Autism charities have reacted with fury to these comments, with one saying the condition is “not a free pass for bad behaviour”. Emily Banks, founder of neurodiversity training body Enna, said: “Being autistic is never an excuse for misconduct.

“It doesn’t absolve anyone of responsibility and it doesn’t mean you can’t tell right from wrong.”

But as one executive on a rival channel told me: “This isn’t about whether Gregg has autism.

“This is about what MasterChef knew about the wronged women over the years, and whether they just turned a blind eye.”

We now have to wait and see if the long-awaited MasterChef review into the saga provides the answers when it comes back on Monday.

A preserved slice of the cake served at the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1947 has been bought for the whopping four-figure sum by a royal fan at auction

A royal fan has bought one of the last known slices of the cake served at the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding in 1947(Image: WPA Pool, Getty Images)

A preserved slice of the wedding cake served at the wedding between the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip has sold for nearly £3,000.

The alcohol-laced fruit cake was made for the royal wedding in 1947, with the slice being one of the last pieces of the 9ft tall cake, which was designed by the chief confectioner at McVitie and Price, to exist.

The dessert had been kept in its original box, which featured and EP cypher and the date of the wedding, November 20th 1947. The box was also stamped with the words “On His Majesty’s Service”, in reference to King George VI – Queen Elizabeth’s father who was the monarch at the time of the wedding.

One of the last known slices of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding cake has sold at auction(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The slither of cake was originally given to Chief Petty Officer F Lownes, who served in the Royal Navy, in paper packaging. He never ate the dessert and instead gave it to his son who kept it in a drawer, according to the Telegraph. The publication said when Lownes’ son passed away, the cake had been left to his wife, Lownes’ daughter-in-law.

After going under the hammer at Reeman Dansie Auctioneers of Colchester, Essex, the new owner of the historic cake is royal fan Gerry Layton, 64, who brought the cake slice for £2,000, or £2,700 including fees.

Gerry is set to keep part of the cake untouched but he wants to eat about a third of it at a replica state banquet he plans to hold on the Royal Yacht Britannia to mark his 65th birthday in 2026.

According to the Telegraph, Mr Layton said: “I will have a third of it cut off and flambéed in rum so that any bacteria will be killed off. But if anything happens to me, then at least I will be going out in style on Britannia.”

The slice of alcohol-laced fruit cake sold for a whopping £3,000 to a royal fan(Image: mirrorpix)

Mr Layton is not the only royal fan to get hold of a piece of the iconic wedding cake, as another slice of the historic dessert sold last year for £2,200 to a bidder in China, who purchased the cake over the phone.

This slice of fruit cake was originally a gift from Queen Elizabeth II, who was a princess at the time, to Marion Polson, who was the housekeeper at The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from 1931 to 1969.

According to the BBC, the cake was found under Polson’s bed when she died, with the housekeeper having been given the slice as she had brought a dessert service for the late monarch and Prince Philip as a wedding gift – something the late Queen appeared to love, as shown in a letter also given to the housekeeper.

The 9ft tall four tier cake was served to more than 2,000 wedding guests in 1947(Image: Hulton Royals Collection)

The letter from the late Queen read: “My husband and I are deeply touched to know that you shared in giving us such a delightful wedding present. We are both enchanted with the dessert service; the different flowers and the beautiful colouring will, I know, be greatly admired by all who see it.”

The 9ft tall four tier cake was served to more than 2,000 wedding guests at Buckingham Palace after the Westminster Abbey ceremony more than 75 years ago.

Rumours of a reconciliation and end to a family feud between King Charles and Prince Harry are on the cards after the pairs’ separate aides were spotted at a secret meeting

A meeting between King Charles and Prince Harry’s secret aides have sparked rumours of an end to their feud(Image: Getty Images)

Secret meetings between the aides to King Charles and Prince Harry have taken place in London, it has been revealed, signalling that the first real sign that the bitter royal rift may finally be on the mend

The hush-hush talks were held at a private members’ club just minutes from Clarence House, and have been tipped as a crucial “first step” in what insiders believed could be a “rapprochement process” between the estranged Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family. It’s believed the meeting took place last week, with Harry’s right-hand woman, Meredith Maines, flying in from California to meet the King’s communications chief, Tobyn Andreae, on neutral ground at the Royal Over-Seas League.

King Charles and Prince Harry have been involved in a bitter feud for a while(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Also in the secret meeting was Liam Maguire, who heads up the Sussexes’ UK PR team, as the trio held what one insider described as “informal drinks” in the scorching sunshine on the club’s garden terrace. A source close to the situation told MailOnline: “There was no formal agenda. But both sides came to the table ready to talk. It’s the first real channel of communication we’ve seen in years.”

It remains unclear who made the first move between the estranged father and son, but the meeting is being hailed as the clearest sign yet that both camps are keen to bury the hatchet after years of public potshots, explosive interviews, and family heartache. Maines, dressed in a sleek cream jacket, heels, and clutching a black Louis Vuitton bag, reportedly jetted back to the Sussexes’ £15 million Montecito mansion straight after the summit, where she’s believed to have given Harry a full briefing.

The King, said to be hopeful of forging a fresh bond with his youngest son and getting to know grandchildren Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, has long been seen as the family member most open to reconciliation. The meeting comes just two months after Harry’s eye-opening BBC interview, where he claimed Charles “won’t speak to me because of this security stuff,” referring to the controversial removal of his police protection in the UK.

There’s been tension between the father and son duo regarding the prince’s ongoing security battle(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Harry accused the Palace of orchestrating an “old-fashioned establishment stitch-up,” heavily implying that his father could have stepped in. Despite the sting of past remarks, Charles appears ready to move on, even as the shadow of Spare, Harry’s bombshell memoir, and that infamous Oprah Winfrey interview continue to loom large.

It was Meghan’s harrowing revelations about mental health struggles during pregnancy, coupled with claims of racism from within “the Firm,” that deepened the family divide and sent shockwaves through the monarchy. Harry’s revelations of a physical bust-up with Prince William added fuel to the fire, leaving the once-close brothers estranged. At the time, the Palace issued a terse but telling response: “Recollections may vary.” However, now the winds could be shifting.

Sources revealed Harry has been reaching out to old UK confidants in a bid to orchestrate a “return from exile,” after growing disillusioned with his US-based advisors. Maines, a Silicon Valley strategist and the first-ever chief communications officer for the Sussexes, is at the helm of this royal rehabilitation campaign. She also masterminded Meghan’s Netflix project With Love, Meghan and her lifestyle brand As Ever, a sign the Sussexes are now adopting a more structured “royal-style” household even from afar.

Meredith Maines, a representative for Meghan and Harry, was present at the secret meeting (Image: Linkedin)

The Mail on Sunday previously revealed Harry had invited the Royal Family to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, which was also seen as a peace offering and potential catalyst for rebuilding ties. But ongoing battles over his UK security continue to muddy the waters. The Duke has fiercely contested the Home Office’s decision to strip his automatic protection, arguing he remains a high-risk target.

In a recent interview, Harry said: “I don’t know how much longer my father has left,” before adding: “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”

No comment has been issued by Buckingham Palace or Team Sussex regarding the meeting. But insiders are quietly optimistic, with a source adding: “Everyone wants to move forward. There’s still a long road ahead. But this was a start – and a good one.”

Matt has been a regular presenter on the BBC show since taking over from James Martin in 2016 and has reportedly ‘held talks’ about presenting MasterChef

Matt Tebbutt has addressed rumours he could be joining MasterChef(Image: (Image: BBC))

When questioned about potentially taking over as the presenter of MasterChef, Matt Tebutt offered a somewhat cryptic response, sparking further speculation. This comes after Gregg Wallace, aged 60, was reportedly let go by the BBC amid misconduct allegations.

Gregg initially stepped down from hosting duties in November. It led to food critic Grace Dent stepping in to co-host the latest series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John Torode.

Grace recently told Loose Women that presenting the show had been her “dream job ever since she was a little girl”. She explained: “I’ve had my eye on the prize wanting it but you never think that you’re going to get chosen.

“When I felt that there might be some movement, and there might be a role, I wanted it and wanted it, and I put the feelers out but I wasn’t going to believe it until I was standing there smiling at scallops with the dress on, with the bra on. It’s a dream come true, I’m so happy.”

However, despite Grace’s temporary takeover, there has been ongoing speculation about the long-term host. It has been reported that Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebutt has had discussions about potentially taking on the role, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Gregg Wallace stepped aside from MasterChef in November(Image: BBC)

Matt has been a staple on MasterChef since taking over from James Martin in 2016, but hinted on the Grilled by The Staff Canteen podcast that change may be on the horizon, stating: “It’s going to stop at some point. I’m going to have to do something.”

In March, sources whispered to The Sun that MasterChef insiders were eager for Matt to take the reins and “make it his own,” revealing that he was in negotiations to co-present the show with John. The insider revealed: “Matt rose to the challenge of coming into Saturday Kitchen after it was previously hosted by another big name in the world of food, James Martin.

“He managed the feat of making it his own and almost making viewers forget who his predecessor was – now Beeb bosses, and the show producers Banijay, will be hoping he can work the same magic on MasterChef.”

Grace Dent stepped in on MasterChef(Image: BBC)

When quizzed about the potential gig, 51-year-old Matt played it cool. In an exchange with Muddy Stilettos, he remarked: “Well, there’s always rumours, but it would be a great gig for sure!”.

Having honed his culinary skills at Leiths School of Food and Wine in London, Matt went on to add flavour to some top-notch restaurants. His journey into television started when he substituted for James Martin on Saturday Kitchen.

Beyond this, Matt has helmed shows such as Channel 4’s Food Unwrapped and joined forces with Tom Parker-Bowles and Matthew Fort on Market Kitchen. His gastronomy achievements include running the Foxhunter restaurant in Wales for a decade and a half, which he now leases out.

Tune in to catch Matt back on Saturday Kitchen from 10am today on BBC One, where he’ll cook alongside Ran Shmueli, Richard Bainbridge, and Crystelle Pereira.

Guesting in the studio will be songstress Vanessa Williams, while Helen McGinn selects the week’s perfect wine pairings. Plus, viewers will get to savour nostalgic culinary clips from the BBC’s storied foodie archives.

Olivia Attwood will be joining the This Morning team but she’s already got her eyes set on Dermot O’Leary’s role

Olivia Attwood became a household name when she landed on ITV’s Love Island back in 2017 and was an instant hit with fans for her unapologetic and no-nonsense approach.

The 34-year-old certainly made a splash in series three and might have possibly been responsible for the term that is widely used to this day “the ick” after she’d hilariously dropped the expression a few times during her time on the show.

On Love Island, she partnered with Chris Hughes, 32, with the much-loved couple making a podium finish after landing themselves in third place, despite the numerous ups and downs they’d faced in the iconic house.

Although they’d attempted to make a go of things outside of the Spanish Villa, it ended in heartache with the pair parting ways two years the programme had ended.

Now, she has completely moved on and married footballer Bradley Dack, after the sportsman got down on one knee in Dubai back in 2019.

Olivia has got her sights set on Dermot’s role(Image: Olivia Attwood/Instagram)

Not only has her love life been on the rise since then, but also her thriving on-screen career, with Olivia stepping away from the reality scene focusing on daytime television and a number of hit docu-series.

She is already a regular on the Loose Women panel and has been since 2023 but now Olivia is taking the plunge and moving on to her next venture.

Olivia is set to make waves on This Morning as a new host(Image: ITV)

She has accepted a post on ITV’s This Morning as a summer stand-in host – a role she has always dreamed of.

However, Olivia has already got her eye on former X Factor star Dermot O’Leary’s role, expressing that she’d love to host alongside Alison Hammond on the show.

Olivia has been a regular on Loose Women since 2023(Image: ITV)

Fans of This Morning will know, that Dermot host Friday episodes alongside Alison. In a recent interview with Closer magazine, Olivia spilled her excitement, saying how she couldn’t wait to present the show with the former Big Brother star.

Speaking about her new role, she told the publication: “Everyone’s been so welcoming.” She added: “The whole team’s been lovely, and I’m just excited to get stuck in and learn from people I really admire.”

When touching on who she’d love to present with the most, Olivia said: “If I ever get to host with Alison, I’m so sure we’d just laugh for two hours straight. Probably three.”

This Morning airs weekdays on ITV1, from 10am.

Lorraine Kelly was away filming last month and it’s now been reported that she was working on a ‘big budget’ travel show for Channel 4 ahead of changes to her ITV talk show

Lorraine’s show has been affected by the ITV cuts(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly is said to have filmed a “big budget” project for Channel 4 recently. Ahead of changes to her long-running ITV talk show next year, it’s been teased that she’s considering other options that she could explore.

Lorraine, now 65, has fronted her eponymous show for more than a decade, with it having launched in 2010. It was however announced by ITV earlier this year that, from January next year, episodes will be reduced to 30 minutes. It was also revealed that the show will then only run for 30 weeks each year.

Following the news, last month, Lorraine shared that she was away and teased that she was having “big filming adventures” in Norway. She said in a video message on Instagram: “I’m in the land of the midnight sun. It’s absolutely glorious. It’s a project that I’ve wanted to do for years and years, and finally it’s actually happening. I’m heading really, really far north.”

Lorraine Kelly has filmed a new show with an ITV rival(Image: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Women of the Year)

It’s now been reported by the Sun that Lorraine flew to the country last month to work on a travel show for Channel 4, rather than ITV. A source told the outlet that the broadcaster was “delighted” to have signed up Lorraine for the project.

The source said it was “exciting” for her to do “something different” and to be back on location somewhere. They teased that amid the shake-up at ITV daytime shows, her “loyal” fans will support Lorraine “wherever she goes”.

They said: “Despite the apparent slight in the ITV daytime shake-up, Lorraine’s loyal fanbase isn’t to be underestimated and they will follow her wherever she goes. She’s survived in this business a long time, and she’s a master at rolling with the punches.”

It’s also been reported by the outlet that the production role Head of Lorraine is being axed at ITV. It’s claimed that her two producers are set to instead report to bosses on This Morning.

The source said that it casts doubt on the future of the talk show and claimed that her current contract finishes next year. The source teased: “She’s opening her eyes up to the many options available to her.”

ITV said in a statement: “We have always said that from January 2026, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women will be three editorially distinct shows which will be produced by one team. These changes are not about the performance of the shows or the staff. We can assure our viewers that their favourite daytime shows will remain familiar to them on screen.”

Although best known for her work on ITV, Lorraine has appeared on other channels over the years too. It includes her having been on Channel 4’s the Last Leg on several occasions and she mentioned the show on a podcast recently.

She teased last month that she’s able to be “a bit naughty” on shows away from ITV’s Lorraine. As reported at the time, she said to Tom Kerridge on the Proper Tasty podcast: “40 years in TV last year was incredible. I got a BAFTA. ‘Here’s a BAFTA for being alive.’ I thought, ‘Hang on a minute, I’m not done yet’.

“I think now I can be a lot cheekier. Because I’ve always been a bit naughty. Not so much in the morning, but if I do a wee show on Channel 4, or The Last Leg, or something like that.”

She teased: “You can be unleashed. And I quite like that. You do have to have a self-edit button and I’m finding mine is not operating as much as it should.”

Loose Women presenter Ruth Langsford teased a special edition of the show, which will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Tuesday.

Ruth Langsford has cleared up why an upcoming Loose Women episode won’t touch on a sensitive topic.

During Monday’s (January 27) show, the panel excitedly discussed the unique over-70s special, which is set to be broadcast tomorrow at 12.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX. The episode features seasoned stars Janet Street-Porter, Prue Leith, Lesley Joseph, and Gloria Hunniford.

After teasing the special, Ruth pointed out that it was pre-recorded before Lesley Joseph was aware of her co-star Pauline Quirke’s dementia diagnosis.

“Well, as you can see there, an exciting show tomorrow. We’ve got powerhouse panellists. Gloria, that’s going to be a great show. We just want to explain to people, though, that it’s a pre-record, and it was pre-recorded obviously before Lesley Joseph knew about Pauline,” Ruth explained.

Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford discussed the show’s over-70s special on Monday (January 27)(Image: ITV)

Gloria concurred, noting that they would have mentioned Pauline if they were aware of her diagnosis at the time of recording.

Pauline, famed for Birds of a Feather, has retired after a 50-year acting career following her dementia diagnosis, with her husband Steve Sheen confirming the sad news on January 21.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties due to her diagnosis of dementia in 2021,” he stated.

Steve expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been there for Pauline, especially the staff at the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA). He finished with a request: “We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren,” reports the Liverpool Echo.

Pauline Quirke has retired from her 50-year acting career after being diagnosed with dementia(Image: Instagram)

Today’s special episode of Loose Women promises to be a cracker, talking about everything from style to lasting friendships in your 70s and the wisdom gained over the years.

On the programme, Gloria hinted at the positive vibes: “I think it’s a very positive programme and, of course, ITV is 70 years old this year, so it’s sort of the beginning of the celebrations. We love the channel, and we love being here, so it’s a good thing.”

Sally Shelford, editor of Loose Women, previously shared: “For 25 years Loose Women has mirrored the lives of those watching at home, with our wonderful panellists sharing their own experiences and leading the conversation on the topics that mean the most to our viewers.”

Sally didn’t hold back her excitement for ITV’s 70th anniversary, adding: “In ITV’s 70th year, we’re delighted to welcome Lesley and Prue to join Janet and Gloria on the panel for this very special show, shining a spotlight on important issues and celebrating what it means to be 70 and 80 today. With an unrivalled wealth of experience and life stories, there will be amazing anecdotes, heartfelt advice and lots of laughs along the way.”

Gloria Hunniford found the courage to speak about her beloved late husband Stephen Way

Loose Women’s Gloria Hunniford opened up about the heartache she has faced since her husband Stephen Way died last August.

In a touching moment on Tuesday’s (January 28) episode, the seasoned broadcaster, 84, joined by Janet Street-Porter, 78, Lesley Joseph, 79, and Prue Leith, 84, spoke candidly about her sorrow during the special 70+ show.

While embracing the positives of growing older on air, the ladies acknowledged that reaching the golden years can sometimes bring loneliness and a need for morning exercises to ease the stiffness of age.

It was during this discussion about ageing that Gloria addressed her recent loss and confessed to the difficulties she’s experienced in living without Stephen.

Speaking from the heart, Gloria revealed to her colleagues: “If I may pick up on something Prue said, I very sadly lost my husband about four months ago and you’re absolutely right when you say you’d hate to be without your husband”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Gloria spoke about her struggles in life without her late husband

She poured out her thoughts further: “Because no matter what age you are, if you suddenly think to yourself ‘gosh I am on my own and I’ve never lived on my own’.”

Gloria, a familiar face on television, then expressed: “I’m rarely on my own by the way because of family and everything but you know I have always lived with husbands,” before playfully ribbing Janet, saying: “I only had two of them, Janet you had about five.”

Janet chuckled in agreement, responding: “Yeah,” as her colleague continued on the topic of life changes: “I’ve always lived with husbands and children and so when your partner, as in my case, we had 30 fabulous years, I mean great memories and everything and people are rightly very quick to say ‘oh you have all those lovely memories to keep you going’.”

At that moment, Janet stepped in with a caring interjection to offer some advice, telling Gloria: “No, now you’ve got to build a new life now Gloria.”

Gloria’s husband sadly passed away last August

In accord with Janet, she acknowledged: “Yes you do. Fortunately, I am a positive person and we have a phrase in our house, ‘what’s the alternative?’ and what it is the alternative? You’ve got to try and pick yourself up.”

Gloria sadly reflected on the loss of her husband Stephen last summer, with his family issuing a statement at the time which read: “It is with huge sadness and very heavy hearts that we share the passing of Stephen Way, Gloria’s beloved husband, who lost his battle yesterday afternoon. Stephen had been heroically fighting his illness… but always with great tenacity and a positive spirit.”

The Loose Women presenter has never shied away from discussing her husband’s medical struggles – Stephen experienced a heart attack in 2004 and encountered his first stroke in 2012. A subsequent stroke last year resulted in partial blindness for him.

Previously, Gloria had praised the NHS for its role in saving Stephen’s life after he was involved in a taxi accident in 2020 that resulted in a severe fracture at the base of his spine.