Loose Women panellist Judi Love is to front a new culinary travel show, Judi Love’s Culinary Cruise, for ITV later this year

Judi Love is swapping the Loose Women panel for a culinary cruise in a new ITV series. The 44 year old comedian said: “I am so excited to be setting sail on this new adventure with ITV. Growing up within a Jamaican family, food was always at the heart of any function and occasion.”

“So I’m truly excited to experience the culture, people and food of the beautiful Mediterranean.”

The Celebrity Gogglebox star will be seen tucking into local delicacies in Kotor in Montenegro, plus four Greek locations Parga, Kerkira, Kefalonia, and Itea.

She added: “I’m looking forward to exploring all of the different destinations as food has such a way of telling a story for many, especially in the Mediterranean where it’s about sharing love, traditions and identity.”

“I have always loved watching loved ones cook and I truly love serving up a hearty plate of food for my family and friends. So I’m thrilled to be able to embrace this with ITV and the audience at home… I can’t wait to get started.”

Judi Love has landed a cruising show for ITV ( 
Image:
BANG Showbiz.)
The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, who became a regular on Loose Women after producers spotted her on Instagram ranting about a roundabout, said: “I’m truly excited to experience the culture, people and food of the beautiful Mediterranean.”

Speaking of her past, she beautifully reminisced on how making patients laugh made her think she might have a chance in the entertainment world.

Whilst appearing on ITV’s This Morning, she said: “As much as I see that video now, it takes me back, but it brings me so much joy because [producers] Sally and Tom saw it and thought ‘You connect with other people! ‘”.

The star explained: “I trained as a social worker and there was a time when I was doing some training in a mental health rehabilitation home, people with really serious psychosis.”

Recalling a poignant moment, she shared: “We were laughing and I was making jokes, we were all laughing, I remember standing there watching everyone laugh and just taking it in. It makes me emotional, one gentleman turned to me and said ‘Thank you, I forgot about my psychosis’.”

She added: “And that was one of the things that pushed me to just try. I’ve been through adversities in life and one of the things that got through it was laughing. It’s about taking those chances. If I never said to myself, ‘Okay, I don’t think this is the place that I’m supposed to be’, then I wouldn’t be here.”