Loose Women viewers fumed “what on earth” as they “switched off” just minutes into Tuesday’s (June 10) live show.

Today’s edition of the popular ITV show was hosted by Ruth Langsford, and also featured Mariella Frostrup, Janet Street-Porter and Kéllé Bryan as they delved into the day’s top stories.

Among the topics discussed was the government’s recent reversal on the winter fuel payment and the new series of Love Island, which kicked off on ITV2 on Monday (June 9) night.

However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when the panel began discussing “boil in the bag” funerals, a process that involves dissolving bodies and flushing them down the drain.

This method, officially known as water cremation, is already practised in several countries, including the United States, Canada and South Africa, reports Belfast Live.

“Saying goodbye to your loved ones usually involves a burial or a cremation, but a new method – boil in the bag funerals – could soon be made available across the UK,” Ruth began.

“It’s actually called water cremation. It involves decomposing the body in water and alkaline chemicals, and that leaves behind only liquid and bones. The liquid can go down the drain, and into the sewage system as waste water, while the bones are left and ground to ash.”

She added: “Some people say that it’s more eco-friendly, while others say it sounds horribly undignified,” before passing the discussion over to her co-stars.

Mariella expressed her opposition to the idea, arguing that the rivers and seas are already polluted enough.

“So, I don’t really know if I want to add my body or anybody else’s to it,” she added.

Meanwhile, Janet was “100 percent in favour” of the unique cremation technique, though she was concerned about the increase in artificial limbs being put into the atmosphere.

However, the show’s viewers were left unimpressed with the segment airing during lunchtime, with many taking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration.

“Just turned TV on during my lunch break at work, and what a disgusting lunchtime topic!! Quickly switched off,” one person wrote, with another adding: “What on earth is this topic?”

Meanwhile, a third viewer said: “As you are a lunchtime programme, should you be discussing boil in the bag funerals? It certainly put me off my lunch! Being flushed down the loo don’t really appeal to me.”

Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 12.30pm