Latest news with #CarolMcGiffin
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Loose Women star admits 'I haven't felt well for 10 years' after brutal cancer treatment
Eleven years on from her shock breast cancer diagnosis, long-running Loose Women favourite Carol McGiffin says she still lives with the effects of the treatment she underwent Loose Women star Carol McGiffin was handed the devastating news she had been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer back in 2014. She had spotted a lump while on holiday, but didn't mention it to her partner until the Loose Women presenter could get home and have it checked by her GP. Carol said at the time: 'I knew from the moment I saw the doctor it was cancer. It was a bit like, 'Oh, right then. I know what this is about.'' Carol underwent a year of intensive treatment, including a mastectomy, six rounds of chemotherapy and 15 sessions of radiotherapy. However, she says, the effects of that treatment still linger on. She told Best magazine: 'I haven't felt 'well' for over 10 years since I had breast cancer, but it wasn't the cancer that made me feel ill, it was the chemotherapy.' In a bid to restore her health, Carol has tried a number of alternative therapies, but they haven't worked out for her: 'In an effort to improve how I feel,' she says. 'I've fallen for loads of wellness stuff like massages, yoga, spas, even meditation – which, if I'm honest, was all a big waste of time and money.' Carol is dismissive of the 'wellness' industry – which according to recent figures is worth over £170 billion in the UK. She says the entire concept of wellness is 'dreamt up by clever marketing people' and that no matter how much people spend on visiting spas or going on yoga retreats, it will only have a placebo effect. Carol says the secret to a good life is ignoring wellness fads and simply being good to yourself. Her recipe for contentment is 'living in a sunny climate because I believe in the power of the sun, eating a classic Mediterranean diet and crucially, not depriving myself of anything.' She says she doesn't worry too much about what she eats and drinks, and focuses on taking life easily and avoiding stress which, she points out, is 'the biggest killer of all.' Carol took a pragmatic approach to her diagnosis, only telling very close friends about her treatment: 'My mum had cancer and she'd brought us up to be tough about illness. I thought: 'So what if I've got breast cancer? Thousands of women get it every year. I'll get through this.' Speaking to the Mirror, she recalled how she had told her partner Mark not to bother coming to the hospital with her for one of her early scans: "I thought he'd gone to work as promised. I looked at him and said: 'Yep, it is breast cancer.' We just went straight to the pub and got absolutely plastered. 'But there weren't any tears,' Carol added. 'Cancer is not the death sentence it used to be if it's caught early because there is loads of good research. You just have to get on with what life throws at you.' She said that it's unclear what might have caused her cancer, which is why she hasn't made any major changes in her lifestyle: 'Cancer does make you look at your lifestyle. Some people say it's alcohol-related – but it could be anything. "I could give up drinking tomorrow and still get it. I would be miserable so what would be the point?'
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I was on Loose Women - I know the REAL reason ITV viewers are switching off and episodes are being slashed
A former Loose Women panellist has revealed the real reason ITV viewers are switching off from the chat show and episodes are being slashed. Carol McGiffin, 65, who featured on the show on and off from 2000 until 2023, said it is suffering because it is 'rubbish' - not because of competition with streaming. She also blasted producers as being out of touch, casting influencers to try to bring in younger viewers which she said is 'ridiculous' and will not work. Her comments come amid scheduling chaos at ITV, after it was announced in May both Loose Women and Lorraine would air only 30 weeks per year, not year-round. Loose Women will also lose its live studio audience to save costs, MailOnline revealed last month - while Lorraine's run time was slashed from an hour to 30 minutes. ITV will also axe more than 220 jobs - nearly half its daytime TV staff, who also work on Good Morning Britain and This Morning. Speaking on Dan Wootton's Outspoken podcast, Carol said: 'They can stand there and say, "The reason that we're suffering is because of online TV. People don't watch TV anymore, they go online for news or entertainment or anything, or streaming services". 'Maybe it's just because it's rubbish and they just aren't very good at it anymore. They don't consider that.' Carol took a break from Loose Women in 2013, featuring on the twelfth series of Celebrity Big Brother, before returning to the panel in 2018. The broadcaster, who then made her second and final departure from the show in 2023, added: 'When I went back to Loose Women, I thought, "This is great, we might be able to make Loose Women great again." 'But it just proved completely impossible.' Venturing the reason behind viewers changing channels, she continued: 'They really don't know what people want and they tell them what they want all the time and they give it to them and force it down their throats. 'That's probably why.' Influencer GK Barry (pictured), 25, joined the chat show in 2024, making her the programme's youngest ever panellist since it began in 1999 Carol finished: 'A lot of young people never watch television. 'The fact that ITV thinks, "If we get all these young influencers on, everyone's going to start watching daytime TV", is just ridiculous.' Love Island star Olivia Attwood, 34, who appeared on the ITV2 dating show in 2017, joined Loose Women as a regular panellist in 2023. Influencer GK Barry, 25, joined the chat show in 2024, making her the programme's youngest ever panellist since it began in 1999. Carol exited Loose Women in 2023 after a bizarre radio rant claiming the Covid pandemic was a World Health Organisation plot to take over every government, MailOnline revealed at the time. She had announced in May that year she was leaving the lunchtime show, protesting ITV insisted she sign a contract with clauses that were 'totally unjust and unworkable'. The Mail On Sunday then disclosed a free speech row was at the centre of her departure, after a backlash over her tirade in an interview on TNT talk radio. Speaking about her dramatic exit, Carol told Women's Own magazine in December 2023: 'No, I don't miss Loose Women at all. 'My pronouns are P and Off. It's just very woke and I can't deal with the wokeness. 'That's not why I am not there. I am not there because of other stuff.' She added she misses her co-stars but 'doesn't miss being on TV'. MailOnline contacted ITV at the time for comment about this scathing attack. A spokesperson previously said, about the contract issue: 'ITV will not comment on speculation around individual contracts. 'We understand Carol has decided to leave Loose Women and we wish her well.' But Carol has not been the only Loose Women star to speak out on the cuts at ITV, with current panellists also weighing in. Kaye Adams, 62, who has been a panellist on the daytime show since its inception, has revealed she has had 'sleepless nights' since the cuts were confirmed. Nadia Sawalha (left, in her YouTube video speaking out on the cuts), 60, has also hit out at the dramatic changes, choking back tears earlier this year as she described scenes of 'shock and fear' in the ITV corridors Speaking on her podcast, How To Be 60, early last month, Kaye revealed the cuts 'came out of the blue', adding her 'life's just imploded'. She admitted even she does not know what will happen to her or her fellow panellists' jobs in the wake of the cuts. Nadia Sawalha, 60, has also hit out at the dramatic changes, choking back tears earlier this year as she described scenes of 'shock and fear' in the ITV corridors. One of the show's most popular presenters, also present from its first series, she also admitted even she does not know her fate on the show. Nadia explained she is self-employed and 'could be let go tomorrow'. Speaking alongside her husband Mark Adderley on the couple's YouTube channel she explained: 'Do you know what? At the moment, all of us on screen are in work and are proud of what we do. 'But behind the scenes, there are people that are really suffering and what you don't realise is when you attack the show, you attack them, because you never see all the army of people behind the scenes and how hard they work.' Struggling to hold back her tears, Nadia added: 'So, to all my friends and colleagues behind the scenes who have just got a huge shock out of the blue: I'm so sorry.' Sue Cleaver, 61, has similarly admitted 'we're all devastated' and 'people are struggling' amid the cuts 'affecting people's lives'. The former Coronation Street star and regular panellist told The Express: 'We've been through it at Corrie as well and these are people's lives and I just feel very much for all the production and the crew because people are struggling. 'It's affecting young families and it's obviously been a pretty hard time for people to hear that. 'But, you know, we have to just embrace change, and we'll see what happens.' Carol's remarks on the cuts come after she spoke out on other aspects of her time on the panel too - including ITV's exhausting dress code. According to Carol, during her 23-year stint on the show, the Loose ladies were given some rules on what they could and could not wear while live to the nation. Writing in her column for Best magazine last month, Carol said: 'We went from wearing our own clothes to being bought stuff to adhere to ludicrous wardrobe policies like "no arms on show"... 'Presumably because our ageing biceps were morphing into bingo wings which the (male) boss at the time had decided were offensive. According to Carol (second left, with Loose Women co-stars in 2009), during her 23-year stint on the show, the Loose ladies were given some rules on what they could and could not wear while live to the nation 'Another female(!) boss once ordered all the women to wear high heels as well. 'I always loathed being "dressed" or "styled" as they preferred to call it. 'You always had to be coordinated up to the eyeballs in nice slacks, wrap dresses or boiler suits.' She added: 'It used to make me shudder, nearly as much as the insane amount of waste on unimaginable amounts of clothes that had mostly only been worn once.' The same column had also seen her previously explain her departure in May 2023: 'I haven't been on the show for two months now because I've had to step away from it. 'It was causing me too much stress, which was mostly down to a difficult contract issue I'd been challenging since January. 'The problem was, ITV were insisting, for the first time since I went back in 2018, that if I wanted to carry on doing the show, I would have to sign a contract that was totally unjust and unworkable for me, so I had to say no thanks. 'And I know it looks like I've thrown my toys out of the pram, but the whole saga was affecting my health.'
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Carol McGiffin slams Loose Women stars and shares 'truth' behind ITV budget cuts
Former Loose Women star Carol McGiffin has slammed the ITV show and others including This Morning and Good Morning Britain as 'rubbish' Carol McGiffin hasn't held back in her criticism of ITV's daytime lineup, branding shows like Loose Women, This Morning, and Good Morning Britain as 'rubbish' and out of touch with audiences. Speaking on Dan Wootton's Outspoken podcast, the former Loose Women regular, who appeared on and off between 2000 and 2023, slammed ITV for reportedly trying to win back viewers by bringing in influencers. 'They can stand there and say, 'The reason that we're suffering is because of online TV, people don't watch TV anymore, they go online for news or entertainment or anything, or streaming services,'' she said. 'Maybe it's just because it's rubbish and they just aren't very good at it anymore. They don't consider that.' Carol returned to Loose Women with high hopes, but was left disappointed. 'When I went back to Loose Women, I thought, 'This is great, we might be able to make Loose Women great again.' But it just proved completely impossible.' She added: 'Sometimes, if I've ever seen anything on This Morning or on YouTube or whatever, you just think, 'This is ridiculous! This is not popular. This is not what people want.'' Taking aim at ITV's strategy, she said: 'They really don't know what people want, and they tell them what they want all the time and they give it to them and force it down their throats.' She also criticized ITV's assumption that influencers would attract younger viewers: 'A lot of young people never watch television… The fact that ITV thinks, 'If we get all these young influencers on, everyone's going to start watching daytime TV,' is just ridiculous.' Addressing recent job cuts and shortened programming - Loose Women will air just 30 weeks a year from 2026 - Carol said she feels 'really bad' for those affected but questioned the dramatic reactions from her former co-stars. 'The Loose Women are apparently raging about it – I haven't spoken to any of them about it. They are like, 'We were kept in the dark.' They never know what's going on. Loose Women is the poor relation so is suffering the most.' She added: 'I do feel for them, but I don't buy into this, 'All their worlds have fallen apart because this show has ended.' Hang on a minute – what did you expect? Did you think it was just going on forever? Especially in the way it is.' Carol's comments come as ITV is making significant cuts to its daytime programming, including reducing the number of weeks that Loose Women and Lorraine air, as well as merging the production teams behind Lorraine, This Morning, and Loose Women. These changes are part of a broader cost-cutting effort, which will also see some presenters like Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier no longer sent on location for competitions. The changes have led to staff redundancies and concerns about the future of the shows.
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bikini-clad Carol McGiffin, 65, soaks up the sun in St Tropez as she enjoys a luxurious getaway with her toyboy husband Mark Cassidy, 43
Carol McGiffin posed in a multiprint bikini alongside her toyboy husband Mark Cassidy - as the couple enjoys a lavish getaway in St Tropez. The Loose Women star, 65, showcased her ageless physique in a series of Instagram snaps as she packed on the PDA with Mark, 43. The TV icon looked carefree as she posed for a sun-kissed snap by the pool, sporting an orange swimsuit and dark shades. The happy lovebirds - who tied the knot in 2018 - were captured looking joyful as they enjoyed an al fresco lunch. In another picture, the English broadcaster captioned they were in Tahiti Beach Restaurant. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Elsewhere, Carol stunned posing in a bright green top and white denim, completing with a floral shawl. Giving fans an insightful anecdote, she captioned the post: 'Exactly this time last year we were here in Saint Tropez doing a shoot for OK! Magazine with the brilliant photographer @clairemcintyrexoxo. '(see last five pics) and trust me, her camera doesn't lie, we really did scrub up that good! …..cut to now and it's just our phone cameras for this trip - see the first six pics 'And while not exactly magazine material, we don't care because we absolutely love it here, especially this hotel and will never not.' Carol and Mark met back in 2008 when she was 48 and he was 26, they married in 2018. She was previously married to radio and TV presenter Chris Evans. The couple exchanged vows in 1991 before separating three-years later, with their divorce finalised in 1998. Carol rang in her 16th anniversary with Mark in October as she shared a sweet tribute during a trip to The French Riviera. The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant and her partner made sure to celebrate in style as they toasted to their first date. Enjoying a meal at La Colombe d'Or restaurant in the village of Saint-Paul de Vence, the couple smiled for a photo. In the update, which Carol shared to Instagram, she included a series of snaps from over the years as they rang in each anniversary in a different location. She captioned: 'This week we celebrated our 16th anniversary (meeting not wedding). I can hardly believe it.' The broadcaster continued: 'Lots of changes in our lives but we still love doing all the same things together and being in each other's company more than ever. Here's to the next 16.'
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I was on Loose Women for 20 years - there was one body part we were all banned from showing as part of exhausting and loathsome ITV dress code
Carol McGiffin has revealed which body part the panel were banned from showing as part of the exhausting ITV dress code while appearing on Loose Women. The journalist, 56, appeared on the programme as part of the iconic panel on/off between 2000 and 2023. According to Carol, during her 23 year stint on the show, the Loose ladies were given some rules on what they could and couldn't wear while live to the nation. Writing in her recent column for Best magazine, Carol said: 'We went from wearing our own clothes to being bought stuff to adhere to ludicrous wardrobe policies like "no arms on show"... 'Presumably because our ageing biceps were morphing into bingo wings which the (male) boss at the time had decided were offensive. 'Another female(!) boss once ordered all the women to wear high heels as well. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I always loathed being 'dressed' or 'styled' as they preferred to call it. 'You always had to be coordinated up to the eyeballs in nice slacks, wrap dresses or boiler suits.' She added: 'It used to make me shudder, nearly as much as the insane amount of waste on unimaginable amounts of clothes that had mostly only been worn once.' Carol first appeared on Loose Women in 2000. Her first stint on the programme was for 13 years. She rejoined the cast in 2018 and was part of the panel and then left for good two years ago. The star was last seen on Loose Women back in May 2023. She previously opened up about the decision to leave in her weekly column for the publication. Carol said: 'I haven't been on the show for two months now because I've had to step away from it. 'It was causing me too much stress, which was mostly down to a difficult contract issue I'd been challenging since January. 'The problem was, ITV were insisting, for the first time since I went back in 2018, that if I wanted to carry on doing the show, I would have to sign a contract that was totally unjust and unworkable for me, so I had to say no thanks. 'And I know it looks like I've thrown my toys out of the pram, but the whole saga was affecting my health.' Carol has worked on various other TV shows and radio stations over the years. She's appeared on the likes of The Wright Stuff, This Morning and taken part in Celebrity Juice, Celebrity Big Brother and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. The star also released her autobiography Oh, Carol! in 2010. It comes after it was revealed that Loose Women, along with Lorraine, will be axed for half the year. Loose Women will only air for 30 weeks of the year. Plus MailOnline recently revealed that ITV will axe a vital part of the show which viewers love in a desperate bid to save money. The series is scrapping their live studio audience when the programme airs with a reduced schedule of just 30 episodes next year. Bosses have got rid of the studio audience to save costs, with insiders revealing that it's an expensive feature due to being managed by an external company, who also provides security and a warmup person, but for the presenters, it's going to be a 'disaster.' A TV source told MailOnline: 'The panelists are really upset over the decision to axe the live studio audience from the show. 'It's what sets the series apart from the rest of ITV daytime and now there are massive fears that viewers will switch off completely. 'The only concern now is to cut costs and having a live studio audience can be expensive, with the added need for security and a warmup artist. 'Presenters already know how it feels to broadcast the show without an audience because that's what happened during the pandemic, and they all know it creates low mood and lack of atmosphere.'
