Nadia Sawalha claimed the U.K isn’t the best place to be an old person at the moment on today’s Loose Women, as the former EastEnders actress revealed her parents have moved abroad for an exciting new chapter of their lives
Nadia Sawalha shared her mixed feelings about her parents recent decision to move abroad on today’s edition of Loose Women.
Chatting with co-stars Kaye Adams, Frankie Bridge and Jane Moore, the former EastEnders actress explained how her parents Nadim and Betty have jetted off on an exciting adventure abroad, as the U.K is not ‘a great place’ to live as an elderly person.
Nadia, 57, candidly admitted that while she is heartbroken to see her parents leave the country, she is thrilled to see them embracing a new lifestyle in Jordan after living next door to her in Britain for many years.
“My dad is 89 and few things going on with his health,” the star explained on Loose Women today.
“My dad has decided to go home to Jordan. We took them to the airport,” she continued.
(
Image:
ITV)
Nadia went on to ponder how England perhaps isn’t the best country for older people to spend their final years – citing horrifying waiting times to see a doctor as one reason why.
“My dad is now sitting with his brother out in the sun – he sent me a picture,” she told those in the Loose Women studio today as she discussed her parents recent move.
She revealed her dad is currently writing a play at the age of 89, before admitting: “I want them with me – I already miss them desperately – but if you love someone you let them go.”
(
Image:
nadiasawalha/Instagram)
“I don’t think [this country] is a very good place for the elderly to live at the moment.”
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Nadia revealed how her parents felt ‘like a burden’ as the country headed in and out of lockdown and tried to tackle to virus.
“Not ‘elderly’ not ‘vulnerable’ not ‘a burden’ not ‘a drain on the system’’ Nadia declared on social media and she showed how much her parents mean to her.
She went on to add: “Dad says he hates being defined in that way. He hates the way the media pigeon hole his generation and leave them feeling like they are a burden.
“Well let me tell you Mum and Dad none of those descriptions come to my mind when I look at you. What does though , is a damn cool couple sat in their boyband coats eating pork pies and having a hoot!!
“I love you both so much. Funny, wise and infuriating!! Just as it should be !! @nadimsawalha.’
Nadia is the daughter of the Jordanian-born British actor Nadim Sawalha and his English wife Roberta Lane, known as Betty.
*Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV and ITVHub