In the wake of ITV cuts, which will make the long-running series much less popular, Kerry Katona has joked for Loose Women to ask her to join her as a panellist.
Kerry Katona has called for ITV to bring her onto daytime show Loose Women amid cuts across the channel, with the long-running show being cut back to a “seasonal” schedule of 30 weeks a year in cost-saving measures.
Nearly 220 ITV staff members could lose their jobs during the daytime schedule, affecting top programs like Loose Women, Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, and This Morning.
Giving her opinion on the broadcaster’s worrying shake-up, former singer Kerry, 44, wrote in her New! Magazine column: “So, ITV has announced big cuts, with Loose Women and Lorraine scaled back to just 30 weeks a year, which I think is a shame. But if I’m honest, I’m not completely surprised. I think in the modern world it can be difficult for shows like these to stay afloat.
“People don’t watch live TV as much as they used to. However, despite that, things can always be revived. I don’t believe the shows are over because I’ve been around for a while and am continuing to reinvent myself and strengthen myself. I must join the Loose Women panel, please. I’d definitely spice things up!
Kerry has appeared on Loose Women several times before never serving as a permanent panelist.
While Loose Women has taken a hit, morning chat show Lorraine, fronted by Lorraine Kelly, will see the most drastic changes. It’s to be reduced from an hour-long show to just 30 minutes and will go on-air for 30 weeks a year, rather than 52.
ITV’s latest move, according to a ITV spokesperson, was about centralizing its national news-gathering production and putting resources into well-known shows like Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office and significant sporting events like the football World Cup.
There was already speculation that ITV was putting its weight on the network, and flagship daytime programs were reportedly in “crisis talks” last year.
Denise Welch recently told the Mirror before the latest changes were announced, “When Loose Women first started, it was never a staple of the daytime schedules like it is now. It was on for three months, off for three months. Then another programme came along and notched it down to half an hour, which the racing still does – but we’ve got our place.”
The Waterloo Road actress added, “There’s life in these old girls yet. Older women’s voices are so important, and I’m very proud to be a part of a show that continues to celebrate that.”
Source: Mirror
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