We look back at the former Loose Women panellists – including Carol McGiffin and Sherrie Hewson – and what they’re up to now
LOOSE Women star has become a mainstay of afternoon telly - lasting nearly two decades of topical debate over daily lunchtime.
But what's happened to the stars who have taken on the world with a cup of tea and a chat with the girls? We look back at the ladies who have left the panel show...
Sherrie Hewson
Sherrie Hewson announced on in August 2016 that she would be leaving the show after fourteen years.
The bubbly star barely left a dry eye in the house as she said: “Loose Women is in my DNA – it will never leave me.”
She is now most known for playing Solana Hotel manager Joyce Temple-Savage in ITV comedy show, Benidorm.
On her final day, she was treated to Stephen Bear as a sexy postman, and Coleen Nolan performing "Thank you for Being a Friend".
Carol McGiffin
Feisty Carol starred on the show from 2003-2013. She took part in Celebrity Big Brother that year, and came in fourth place, losing out to Geordie Shore lass Charlotte Crosby. In 2015, Carol announced that she was battling breast cancer, but is thankfully now in recovery.
She still makes appearances on panel shows including Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, and has been engaged to toy boy Mark Cassidy since 2008.
Zoe Tyler
Zoe Tyler found fame as a judge and vocal coach on BBC musical talent shows Any Dream Will Do, which discovered Lee Mead, and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, where Liverpool lass Stephanie Davis found her big break.
She landed a hosting role on Loose Women in 2007, but was dropped in 2011 after the show suffered a slump in the ratings and bosses revamped the show.
Since then, she married husband Angus Kindley and has returned to her career as a performer and vocal coach.
She also is an avid supporter of Cancer Research UK, and has spoken openly about her hysterectomy in 2014.
Claire Sweeney
Claire was a regular panellist on Loose Women from 2003-2005 and then took on a recurring role where she would make frequent appearances on the show up until 2012.
During her time between these stints, former Brookside star Claire turned her acting skills to the stage, and has taken on several iconic roles including Paulette in Legally Blonde: The Musical opposite Sheridan Smith, Velma von Tussle in Hairspray and Roxie Hart in Chicago.
She had her first child Jaxon in 2014 with on/off partner Daniel Riley.
Denise Welch
Denise had a less than ceremonial exit from the talk show after reportedly walking out in 2013 following a clash with bosses.
Since then she has returned to her acting roots and has most recently appeared with one-off part Alison Slater in Eastenders, as well as the sitcom Boy Meets Girl which was the first of its kind to star a transgender lead.
Her two children, Matthew and Louis, who she had with actor Tim Healy, both followed in their parents footsteps and have become entertainers – with Matthew becoming the lead singer of band The 1975 and Louis recently auditioning to take a role in Corrie.
Proud mum Denise became friends with actor and rock star Jared Leto when she flew to the US to support Matt at Coachella Music Festival.
Jane McDonald
Former cruise ship singer Jane McDonald was on the show from 2004 and 2014.
She left the show in order to focus on her original love – her music career. Since then, she has been touring and selling out shows across the UK.
Jane is spending this year touring her current show Making Memories across Britain and also in Cyprus in July. The Autumn leg of the tour runs through September and October.
Lynda Bellingham
Lynda Bellingham quit the show in 2011 after being a regular panellist since 2007.
However, she remained a frequent guest on the show and continued her career as a presenter, which included a cookery travel show titled My Tasty Travels in 2012.
Unfortunately, Lynda was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2013 and she never recovered, passing away in October 2014. Shortly before her death, the star released her autobiography, jokily titled I’ve Been Dying to Tell You.
She was survived by husband Michael Pattemore, who she referred to on the show as ‘Mr Spain’ and her two sons Michael and Robbie – who are now in an unfortunate legal battle for her estate.
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