Comedian Alan Carr has branded ITV's talk show Loose Women "desperate" for their persistent appeals for votes in the lead-up to the National Television Awards (NTAs). The show is nominated in the Best Daytime Show category.
Carr made the remarks on his podcast "Bottoms Up" with co-host Lee Peart. He commented on the frequency of the requests, stating, "Remember when Loose Women are nominated for an NTA, every day, every ad break, I mean, a bit desperate."
Peart, who previously worked as a warm-up act for Loose Women, agreed with Carr's assessment. He recalled being asked to encourage audience members to vote for the show before filming began. "On the phones. I said, this is not my job, I won't do it," Peart recounted.
Carr's comments come shortly after his friend, Denise Welch, announced her departure from Loose Women after 26 years with the program. Welch, who first appeared on the show in 2000 and returned in 2018, stated she is leaving to pursue acting opportunities. Her last appearance was on June 29. Welch expressed her gratitude for her time on the show, calling her fellow panelists a "happy band of campers" and indicating she would remain friends with them. A spokesperson for Loose Women confirmed Welch's departure, stating she will be "hugely missed."
Loose Women is nominated for Best Daytime Show alongside Good Morning Britain, This Morning, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, and Scam Interceptors at the NTAs. Carr's own show, "Changing Ends," is also nominated for an NTA.