Andrea McLean ‘didn’t close’ on Loose Women return year after leaving ITV show

Loose Women’s favorite Andrea McLean left in December 2020, after 13 years as a presenter, and on Monday she returned to the ITV series to discuss life after the series

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Loose Women: Andrea McLean returns as a guest on the show

Loose Women has welcomed Andrea McLean back to the ITV show, for the first time since she stepped down from the executive board nearly a year and a half ago.

Andrea returned to the set for the first time, this time as a guest rather than on the jury, which she said felt “really nice” but “didn’t stand a chance”.

The presenter filmed her final episode in December 2020, and on Monday she returned to reveal all about her life after the show.

Speaking of her “brave” decision to try something new, Andrea told former colleagues about her new book, and how leaving her role with them became the “catalyst” for her. how is it.

She said: “At the time, a lot of people said to me, ‘oh my gosh, what a brave thing to do’, I mean also a stupid thing to do, it’s in the middle of a pandemic and you are quitting your job to follow your dreams.

“At the time I felt it was just what I needed to do. Now I look back and it was a brave decision, because I remember saying I needed to jump to see if I could fly.”

“I don’t know if I’ll face plants or fly… I’m so glad I did, I love what I do.”

Discussing her fourth book, she added: “I wanted to put together a challenge for the lovely women who have joined me, to show them how to do things bravely and stay away. fear because I’m still really scared.

“People think I’m really brave, I don’t feel scared but I don’t, so I put this 10 day challenge together. Ruth, I don’t know if it will work. I do. I know it worked for me but I don’t know if it works for anyone else.”

Andrea also talked about a nervous breakdown she suffered 3 years ago and this is something she opened up on Loose Women at the time.

Reflecting on this, she said, “That’s what I love about this show, I’ve been able to talk about it, and people have come to me and I’ve helped others get through it.

“I think I built a little toolkit in that time, which feels really dark and horrible but what it made me do was realize that one thing, I never want to go back to that place. more, but I also need to stop searching. .. someone else will correct me, then I will feel better. Actually you need to learn how to correct yourself.”

Co-host Ruth Langsford also asked about a future TV return and hinted that she hasn’t ruled out a return for Loose Women.

Ruth tells her, “You haven’t completely closed on TV or Loose Women…” and Andrea replies, “Never!”

When having to say goodbye again, Ruth tells her how much they all miss her on the show, with Andrea saying she’ll have to come back soon.

Andrea previously told The Mirror she still has “no regrets” about leaving the series, as she finds her feet with her new project.

She said: “I have no regrets at all, 100%. I really enjoy looking back on my time there, and I’m so lucky. I had the best job in the world but it just didn’t work anymore. more suitable.

“It’s not a bad thing, we all change and you’re not the same person a decade later. Most of us will outgrow our jobs at some point.”

Loose Women airs at 12:30pm on weekdays on ITV.