ITV have announced changes to Loose Women from 2026 which will see the programme lose it’s live studio audience with several stars left “devasted” by the decision
Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time
07:49, 11 Dec 2025Updated 07:51, 11 Dec 2025
Loose Women will lose its live studio audience in 2026(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
A Loose Women regular has bid an emotional farewell to colleagues after eight years working on the ITV show.
ITV announced a big change to its daytime programming earlier this year with Loose Women, Lorraine, This Morning and Good Morning Britain all affected by the decision.
From January 2026, the shows will be broadcast from a new location in central London and will operate on an updated airing schedule.
The shake-up will see Loose Women reverting to its previous slot of 12.30pm until 1.30pm on a 30-week “seasonal basis”.
Loose Women will also be losing its live studio audience, meaning comedian Lee Peart will no longer be serving as the warm-up act, a role he has performed since 2017.
The performer confirmed his departure in an emotional social media post this week alongside a snap of himself posing next to panelists Ruth Langford, Gloria Hunniford and Kellé Bryan.
Lee Peart with Loose Women panelists Ruth Langsford, Gloria Hunniford and Kellé Bryan(Image: Facebook)
He penned: “Two weeks today will be my final Loose Women! A bittersweet end of an era… the goodbyes are starting as it’s the last time I’ll work with Ruth, Gloria and Kellie in this capacity!”
Unsurprisingly, Lee’s been inundated with support from fans since sharing his post on Facebook.
One social media user wrote: “We’ve been twice with you as the warm up man, you’re very funny, even funnier when one of the women in the audience takes a shine to you.”
Someone else commented: “I was literally just thinking about how close Christmas is and it being your last couple of weeks at LW! I’m sure they’ll miss you as much you’ll miss them! Thank you for the times I came to the show and was your guest. I loved every visit and you were so kind and brilliant. Take Care, Lee.”
Comedian Lee confirmed his departure from his role at Loose Women in an emotional social media post(Image: ITV)
A third person said: “Gutted it’s changing as a regular in the audience but I wish you good luck in the future.” A fourth added: “The legend Lee, we’ll miss you on Loose Women!”
Original Loose Women panelist Nadia Sawalha, who joined the ITV show in 1999, addressed the axing of her “dear friend” Lee during an episode of her Coffee Moaning podcast with husband Mark Adderley.
She explained a the time: “From next year there will be no Loose Women audience,” she said. “I am totally devastated by this fact, I can’t get over it at all.
Lee has been inundated with support from Loose Women fans(Image: Samuel Black Photography)
“Not only because the audience is so important for the show, but also my dear friend Lee who I work with every day.”
The ITV changes will also see Lorraine moving to a 30-week schedule with episodes running from 9.30am until 10am, while This Morning will continue to air from 10am until 12.30pm.
The running time for Good Morning Britain will be increased by 30 minutes for each episode, running from 6am until 9.30am. These episodes will be extended by a further 30 minutes when Lorraine isn’t on air.
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 12.30pm