Loose Women to allow men on panel for first time in its 21-year history

Andy Halls

Published: 0:30, 16 Nov 2020
Updated: 0:43, 16 Nov 2020

AS the name suggests, Loose Women is a show which focuses on all things female – even if us fellas sometimes like to tune in as well.

Now, for the first time in the ITV show’s 21-year history, they’re letting the blokes muscle in — albeit for one day only.

Loose Women is allowing men on the panel for the first time in its 21-year historyCredit: Rex Features

This Thursday, the panel will be made up of JLS- star-turned-TV-host Marvin Humes, Love Island narrator Iain Stirling, singer Ronan Keating and radio presenter Roman Kemp.

Timed to coincide with International Men’s Day, it’s all part of Loose Women’s Stand by Your Men campaign, focusing on male mental health.

So the fellas will be talking about a range of relevant issues, not to mention chatting to Oscar-winning Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey.

Marvin said: “With everything going on in the world now, there’s never been a more important time for men to be open about their mental health.

JLS's Marvin Humes will be joining a Loose Women panel focusing on male mental healthCredit: Rex Features

Singer Ronan Keating will appear on the panel tooCredit: Getty Images - Getty

“I’m looking forward to anchoring the first ever Loose Men and raising awareness of the importance of men opening up like women do.”

The chaps hope to channel some of the candour that the women usually show on the programme. They want to convince other men to tackle their concerns, particularly as the Covid pandemic has increased mental health issues.

Iain said: “We know that men typically find it harder to discuss their anxieties, especially with other blokes.

“I’m looking forward to changing the conversation and can’t wait to join the other Loose Men.

Love Island narrator Iain Stirling will also be appearing on the panel Credit: ITV

“Hopefully we can inspire those watching to talk about their feelings too and not keep things bottled up.”

Loose Women have previously had honorary Loose Men on the show, including Sun columnist Judge Rinder and former Labour politician Ed Balls.

Regular Loose Women panelist Stacey Solomon even got her other half, Joe Swash, on as an honorary Loose Man.

But this is the first time they have handed the show entirely over to the men.

And any of them considering not handing it back will have Janet Street-Porter to answer to . . .

Radio presenter Roman Kemp will be chatting about male mental healthCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The Grinch

GLEE star Matthew Morrison is to star as The Grinch in a new musical remake of the Dr Seuss classic.

The two-hour special event for NBC will air from the Troubadour Theatre in London. Matthew will star as the grumpy green character alongside The Good Wife’s Denis O’Hare, who will play his beloved dog Max.

Andrea to beat bullies with advert

LOOSE Women stars Andrea McLean and Brenda Edwards are to front a new anti-bullying campaign.

The ITV panel show duo are partnering with Nationwide Building Society for two 30 second adverts, due to air from today, in support of Anti-Bullying Week. The pair will share a statement of defiance and solidarity in the adverts aired on ITV.

Andrea McLean is going to front a new anti-bullying campaignCredit: Rex Features

Opening up about her experience at secondary school in Scotland, Andrea said: “They ripped up all my artwork, all the stuff that was going towards my exams. They would threaten to kill me, they’d follow me home. I never went to the loo the whole time I was at school because they’d follow you in. It was truly awful.”

The mum-of-two says the abuse began after she defended a fellow classmate who was being tormented by the same group.

She said: “These girls were very, very viciously picking on another girl at school. She was quite vulnerable and very defenceless, and all I did was walk over and say, ‘What are you doing? Leave her alone’.

“They all went, ‘Now it’s your turn’ and that was for two years.”

Gender reveal

FORMER Big Brother champ Kate Lawler is expecting a baby girl – and plans to overrun her house with women.

Announcing the gender of her first child on Instagram yesterday, the reality-star-turned-DJ said: “My long-term plan to assume total control over the household is nearly complete (just kidding).”

Steve back to Space

STEVE Carell is set to hit our screens again as Netflix confirms that Space Force is getting a second season, with filming set to start next year.

The ten-part workplace comedy follows a group of scientists, politicians and military officials as they establish a new branch of the US armed forces – the United States Space Force.

Steve Carell's Netflix series Space Force is getting a second seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press

Season two will see actor Jimmy O Yang, who plays Dr Chan Kaifang in the show, join the writing team, and Norm Hiscock – previous a screenwriter for Brooklyn Nine-Nine – come on board as co-showrunner.

Modern love

KIT Harington has started filming the second season of hit rom-com Modern Love.

Fans spotted the Game Of Thrones star in Dublin, confirming rumours the show is branching out of New York for its next instalment on Amazon Prime.

Hel goes undies covered

AFTER months of morning sickness, you would think Helen Flanagan would feel anything but sexy.

Helen Flanagan showed off her bump while modelling her new line of maternity underwearCredit: INSTAGRAM/HELEN FLANAGAN