The Loose Women panellists – Nadia Sawalha, Kaye Adams, Carol McGiffin and Jane Moore – ended their show today with a tribute to Donna May, who is leaving the programme after two decades

The Loose Women stars bid an emotional farewell to their co-star today, who is departing the programme after 20 years.

During today’s segment, Nadia Sawalha, Kaye Adams, Carol McGiffin and Jane Moore all presented the show, where they were joined by Jordan North and EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw to talk about their projects.

However, at the end of the episode, the camera panned over to Ruth Langsford who was sat next to Donna May Clitheroe, who is departing the programme after two decades working on the show.

Ruth sat alongside Donna May and said it was a privilege to be working with her all these years, as they all thanked her for helping them look the best every day with her makeup artist skills.

Donna has been working on the show for 20 years ( 
Image:
ITV)

Speaking at the end of the show, Kaye said: “Before we go, we have to say after 20 years, this is the last day of our dear friend Donna May. The heart of our make up room. She’s sat there with Ruth, I don’t think Ruth’s going to let her go.”

Donna then revealed she would be making the leap to work on her business full time, as Ruth told her: “Look at those four gorgeous women there, you do that,” as Kaye told her: “You are and will continue to be a wonderful friend to us all.”

The panellists wished their friend the best of luck ( 
Image:
ITV)
On her website, Donna May previously shared how she works on her own business whilst leading the ITV team too.

“I’m Head of Makeup for ITV’S Loose Women and Lorraine – I’ve been at ITV for 21 years– so three to four days a week I’m at the studios. It’s a four hour round trip on the train so I take my laptop and use this time to work on DML,” she said.

“The other days are either filled with having meetings regarding DML or working on photo shoots, product development, trips to my factories in China (one to two times a year) and various beauty exhibitions. Seriously, I never have a day off … the business is 24/7!”

She got emotional as she bid her farewells ( 
Image:
ITV)Donna May’s business is now her full focus, but she admits it can be tough sometimes.

She added: “Deciding to really make a go of DML as a serious business! The first year was kinda fun – me playing on my own, making the products myself and having no real pressure to sell.

“Moving into year two though, I either had to up my game and take on a partner or quit as it was becoming too big to run alone. Taking that leap to say, ‘sod it … what’s the worst that can happen?’ is my mantra!”

She concluded: “I leapt and I survived – and every day is a continuous survival act!!!”