Loose Women's Charlene White pauses show for historical 'first' announcement

Charlene White paused the latest episode of Loose Women to make an announcement about a 'first' for the popular programme. She revealed the ITV show is set to be broadcast live for 25 consecutive hours.

Loose Women is generally aired in an hour-long slot over lunchtime for 25 years but now, in aid of the network's Britain Get Talking campaign, one episode will air in early December where the women discuss topics at length for just over a whole day on streaming service ITVX.

Speaking on Monday's (November 25) episode, anchor Charlene explained: "As part of ITV's Britain Get Talking campaign, on Thursday 5 December, for the first time in our 25-year history, 'Loose Women' will be broadcasting live for 25 consecutive hours.

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"This is all about Britain Get Talking because it's about supporting people if they have mental health struggles. It's about encouraging people to have those really important conversations about the issues that matter to them."

The current panel is made up of anchors Ruth Langsford, Kaye Adams and Christine Lampard as well as regular panellists such as Nadia Sawalha, Janet Street-Porter, Katie Piper, Denise Welch, and Linda Robson amongst a host of others.

Former Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge - who joined the show in 2021 - said: "I think we had a moment earlier where we [wondered] how we were going to do that but then we had our hour's meeting in the morning and we were like 'Okay, we are gonna be fine.' We don't stop!"

A host of famous faces will join the panellists and singer Coleen Nolan - who has appeared on the show since 2000 - teased that there will be a lot to come late in the evening. She said: "I think it's gonna have poignant moments, encouraging people, helping them speak about whatever they're going through. Equally, in those 25 hours, I think it's gonna be so much fun as well. After 9pm, watershed, woah!"

Ahead of the Talkathon, Loose Women editor Sally Shelford said: "Half of UK adults find talking or spending time with friends or family lifts their mood but the statistics show that so many of us still find it difficult to open up if we’re struggling. We always say on the show that the viewers are the fifth Loose Woman and we aim to do as much as we can to help raise awareness of the issues that affect them most.

"Throughout the Talkathon, we’re also going to need their help too, keeping us company over the 25 hours, pledging their support for our charities and joining us as we continue important conversations about mental health… Plus, as well as special guests dropping by, viewers can expect our usual laughs and classic Loose Women topics too!"