Loose Women Panellists Face Racist Abuse After All-Black Panel Special Episode

The popular daytime talk show Loose Women, which has been a staple on ITV since 1999, faced a wave of racist abuse following a special episode last year featuring an all-Black panel. The episode, hosted by Charlene White, Brenda Edwards, Judi Love, and Kéllé Bryan, was a heartfelt tribute to Brenda’s late son, Jamal Edwards.

While many viewers praised the episode for its emotional depth and the Panellists’ candid discussions, a small minority took to social media to post derogatory and racist comments. One person wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “What is it with ITV, are they run by some Ofcom Diversity Group? Look at this racist garbage from Loose Women yesterday. What is this? I know it was a commemoration of a death, but 4 Black presenters, who all have big mouths too”, reported by OK! Magazine.

Another user added, “@loosewomen I see you doing a show with an all-Black lineup. How woke of you. I assume you will also be doing future shows with all-Asian panels? Maybe an all-trans lineup? Would be a bit un-woke and racist if u didn’t surely?”

This is not the first time the quartet has faced such backlash. In 2021, the same group hosted a special episode marking Black History Month, which also drew a small number of negative and discriminatory responses from viewers.

The ITV show, known for its rotating panel of female hosts, has long sparked strong reactions from its audience. Over the years, Panellists such as Katie Piper and Denise Welch have been frequent targets of complaints. Earlier this year, Denise received over 100 Ofcom complaints following a heated debate with former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Denise later dismissed the complaints as “utterly pathetic” on social media.

Despite the criticism, Loose Women remains a platform for open discussions on a wide range of topics, often tackling social and cultural issues head-on. The show’s producers and Panellists continue to address and push back against the negativity they receive, while fans applaud their commitment to representation and meaningful dialogue.

While the racist remarks directed at the all-Black panel are a stark reminder of the prejudice that persists, the episode also underscores the power of representation and solidarity among the Panellists.