Loose Women’s Dame Kelly Holmes breaks down in tears in tribute to the Queen as ITV show returns to the schedule

LOOSE Women panelist Dame Kelly Holmes broke down in tears as the ITV daytime show paid tribute to the late Queen.

The Olympian, 52, - who was making her show debut on the Loose Women panel - was visibly emotional as the series made its return to the schedule.

Presenter Ruth Langsford, 62, opened the special tribute show to the life of Britain's longest-serving monarch.

Through the week, ITV has switched up its ordinary programming to accommodate additional news bulletins and feature shows dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty died peacefully at the age of 96 on Thursday, with her family by her side.

Ruth could be seen patting Kelly on the shoulder as the opening credits rolled.

After introducing the opening segment, Ruth told viewers: "We have already got Kelly in tears.

"I've got the tissues ready."

It came after Loose Women opened with a tribute to the Queen, accompanied by the Dame Vera Lynn track, The White Cliffs Of Dover.

Sports ace Kelly then spoke about her debut as a panelist, and said: "I am really fortunate to be here today.

"It's a memorable moment to have the opportunity to speak about the Queen.

"Even the footage set me off."

Kelly told how she was at the Pet Awards when she heard the sad news about the monarch's passing.

She added how it "felt OK" to be there, with the Queen being the patron of the Dog's Trust and having such a huge passion for horses.

The self-confessed Royalist told how she felt a special bond to the Queen from her time in the British Army Women's Royal Army Corps.

She told how pledging allegiance to the monarch was "the first thing you do when you join" and how she felt her service was a life-long one.

Earlier this week, we exclusively reported how Kelly had signed up to Loose Women as a full-time host.

We told how the Olympic Gold-winning runner will be able to give her insight into LGBTQ issues as a full-time panellist.

Kelly won the 800m and 1,500m titles at the 2004 Games in Athens.

She said in an exclusive interview: “I am extremely excited about joining Loose Women.

“Having met a few of the panellists recently, I know that the shows will be full of energy, smiles, tears and lots of laughs.

“I hope I can bring my energy to the show and I will be up for doing any mad experiences that they throw at me.”