Boobs, bums and wobbly bits… how the Loose Women lost their clothes – and gained millions of fans
THEY share every detail of their personal lives on TV - and more often than not, every inch of their skin on their social media accounts.
The Loose Women have become champions of body positivity over the last few years, stripping off regularly to show women everywhere what it means to be “normal”.
The daytime TV show has an audience of over a million people and is famous for it’s outspoken panellists and taboo busting conversations.
Over the last 20 years the show’s tackled everything from mental and vaginal health to abortion and gay rights.
And now they’ve turned their attention to body confidence, or more specifically the lack of it in UK women.
Earlier this week Nadia Sawalha uploaded a photo of herself skinny dipping on holiday after reaching a new level of “body confidence” and I’m absolutely here for it.
In an image-obsessed society it is more important than ever that there are people out there who are prepared to use their influence for good and show what it really means to be a woman in the UK today, where the average dress size is a size 16 - even if it doesn't seem like it on social media.
And while there are those out there who accuse them of attention seeking; uptight men and women who claim to be being “put off their breakfasts” by the pictures, for the most part, the reception is overwhelmingly positive.
In reaction to the naked photo Nadia shared on her Instagram there were almost 800 comments from women thanking her and sharing tales of their own insecurities.
Nadia, who is 54, has been very vocal about her own body hang-ups in the past. She’s previously said that she used to “cry [herself] to sleep, worried that [I] didn’t look good enough” but thanks to therapy and years of work the former EastEnders actress says she’s “stronger and happier than ever before.”
And she's not alone...
'I've got black belly hairs and stretch marks'
Stacey Solomon has amassed over two million Instagram followers and is famous for her realistic portrayal of motherhood.
A photo the 29-year-old shared in a bikini cuddling new baby Rex received nearly half a million likes and 10,000 comments, all from women thanking her for being so real and vulnerable online.
Stacey, a mum-of-three has credited the birth of her youngest son for getting her to where she is saying: “I love my body. Every bit of it. Even the bits that society says shouldn’t be there. Because EVERY bit of it came together to make him.”
Stacey documented her pregnancy journey with refreshing honesty, uploading videos of her pregnancy bump covered in hair (something I didn’t know could ever happen since no one had ever been brave enough to share an image like that before) and photos in which cellulite and stretch marks are visible for the world to see.
'No one can tell me not to wear a bikini'
Denise Welsh, a 61-year-old mum-of-two, regularly shares photos of herself in a bikini on Instagram and, telling the Mirror Online last year: “I’m doing it because there are a lot of women in this country who have self esteem issues, and a lot of it is to do with women’s magazines putting lots of pressure on women for how they look.
"I’m putting my money where my mouth is and saying that no one can tell me not to wear a bikini.”
She’s right. British women are not very comfortable with their bodies.
In a study carried out by this year, it was found that over a third of UK adults have felt anxious or depressed because of concerns about their body image.
And while the focus in the media is often on young people and their problems with body image, it is an issue that transcends generations.
'I don't look like this standing up'
This was recognised by panellist and Sun columnist Jane Moore, 57, who this summer shared a photo of herself looking fabulous with the caption: "I know it’s de rigeur to post photos pointing out whatever you think your flaws are, but I’m too old for all that.
"So instead, I’m very happy to post a flattering snap when I see one!
"No, I don't look anything like this standing up (as you can tell from the white stripe on my midriff where, thanks to perfectly normal tummy folds, the sun don't shine) and yes I have cellulite that you can’t see, but so what?"
'I'm lucky to have my body'
Of her journey to body confidence, TV presenter Saira Khan, 49, explained in an episode of the show the problems that have arisen as a result of her Muslim faith.
She said: “It has been a journey, and this is why I would say to all women… I was brought up in a culture where if you are nude, or you see any part of your body, even like a wrist, you bring shame on the family.
"It’s only by being on this show and taking to women like you that’s made me realise, now that I’m 50 next year, I’m healthy, I’ve got a body, I’m so lucky, just embrace it.
'Life is too short to worry about my bingo wings'
Coleen Nolan, 54, one of the famous Nolan sisters, spoke of her nerves ahead of the Loose Women Body Stories campaign, which saw the ladies strip off without filters or airbrushing.
She said it was her sister Bernie’s death from breast cancer in 2013 that made her feel the need to “accept myself and be happy” because “life is too short to worry about my bingo wings”.
Before stripping off with the rest of the women Coleen said: “I think I kind of represent probably the majority of the women my age and I thought if I don’t do it, it looks like I’m saying there is something to be ashamed of. It is important to be confident.”
'I walked through a restaurant stark naked'
Carol McGiffin has always been body confident.
Speaking in 2014, she said: "I don’t think I’m bad for my age. At 53, I’m slim, my skin’s OK and I have no grey hair."
She added that comparing herself to the likes of Sharon Stone and Christie Brinkley, she didn't feel so confident.
"I always think I’m doing all right. Until I see this lot and I want to run to the plastic surgeon’s office with my cheque book in my hand."
The former panellist admitted she was so confident at one point in her life that she walked through a restaurant stark naked.
'I wasn't comfortable for a long time'
Andrea McLean, 49, has also stripped off to show her insecurities on numerous occasions.
The mum-of-two previously confessed: "You know, the reason I did the Body Stories thing, was to show my scars.
"I have very many scars all across my stomach and right the way up to my belly button, and I’ve added to them since then as I’ve had a hysterectomy as well.
"I feel really passionate about every woman being and feeling comfortable in their own body.
So many of us don't feel comfortable in swimwear and I didn't for a really long time."
It is widely recognised now that the culture of the last few years has been pretty toxic for women. We’re constantly sold diets, makeup and surgery all to keep us looking young and thin for as long as possible and as a result, a lot of us feel really negatively about our bodies.
It is thanks to women brave enough to do something about it, that the conversation can now start to change. Sure, when you compare it to bomb disposal, stripping off for an Instagram picture in your bikini isn’t medal-worthy bravery.
But in sharing photos of themselves without makeup on, in bad lighting and adorned with cellulite, the Loose Women are helping to make women like me feel better about my body than I ever thought I could. So I’m very grateful to them for that.
And I hope that they continue to lead by example until all women, no matter their size and age, feel comfortable enough in a bikini to put uptight people everywhere off their breakfasts.
