The future of the Loose Women presenting team has been "confirmed," in a fresh update, with it now being understood the hosts will not face any changes despite sweeping cuts to the broadcaster's daytime programming.
The announcement brings relief to viewers who had worried about potential alterations to the popular panel show's lineup amid wider restructuring.
Speaking to GB News, an ITV spokesperson said: "We always said how much we valued all of the Loose Women and that we wouldn't be making changes to the panel, so viewers can look forward to seeing the familiar line up of Loose Women in the New Year".
The confirmation comes as ITV prepares to implement significant modifications to its daytime schedule from 2026, with the lunchtime discussion programme set to operate on a reduced seasonal basis rather than year-round.
ITV is set to implement significant modifications to its daytime schedule
|ITV
The broader shake-up of ITV's daytime output will see Good Morning Britain gain an additional half hour, running from 6am until 9.30am each day.
Lorraine Kelly's programme faces the most dramatic reduction, being cut from its current hour-long length to just 30 minutes, broadcasting between 9.30am and 10am.
Both Lorraine and Loose Women will now air for only 30 weeks annually rather than throughout the year.
Loose Women itself will retain its established 12.30pm to 1.30pm timeslot but will operate on a seasonal schedule from next year.
ITV has confirmed
| ITVThe changes form part of cost-saving measures announced by the broadcaster in May, which will result in more than 220 positions being eliminated across the organisation.
Sources within the production have described a period of considerable anxiety since the restructuring plans were first revealed seven months ago.
An insider told The Sun: "It's been a tense time since the changes were announced in May and everyone has felt on edge, like they're singing for their supper. So it's a relief that everyone will broadly remain."
The source confirmed that whilst fewer shifts would be available, there were no plans to remove any presenters from the roster.
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"There will be job cuts across the daytime teams but it will be through merging production teams, not touching talent, in regards to Loose Women," the insider added.
Kevin Lygo, ITV's Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, acknowledged the impact on behind-the-scenes staff, pledging to support those affected through the transition.
The confirmation of job security stands in contrast to remarks made by Linda Robson just last week, when she expressed uncertainty about her future on the programme.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, she said: "The show is hopefully back in January, if we've still got jobs. We have to wait and find out. My first job was in a fish-and-chip shop so I might have to go back there!"
Gloria Hunniford recently shared her thoughts about the upcoming Loose Women changes
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Fellow panellist Gloria Hunniford had struck a more confident tone back in October, telling BANG Showbiz: "The girls are staying.
"Unfortunately, it's the background teams that are being affected. But we're not affected."
Ms Hunniford maintained she was not "losing any particular sleepless nights" over the reduced schedule, noting that the panellists were fortunate to have other work commitments alongside the show.