Andrea McLean has defended ‘Loose Women’ over criticism regarding its diversity.
The 48-year-old star has opened up about working on ITV’s daytime panel show, and insisted the team is "really proud" of the work they do regarding representation.
Following the Metro newspaper’s report earlier this year that only around 11 percent of its guests in the first quarter of 2018 were of ethnic minority, she told Digital Spy: "It’s something we keep an eye on constantly.
"That’s across every level of diversity so making sure our panel represents women of every age, ethnicity, sexual orientation.
"It’s something we feel really strongly about.
"Actually, in terms of how we do in a programme, we do very well. It’s something we are always looking into, to ensure everyone is represented, but it’s something we are really, really proud of that we try to keep on top of."
Despite the criticism, the programme was recently presented with a Media Diversity Award after it became the first female panel show to have a transgender panellist in India Willoughby.
Further explaining the positive impact of ‘Loose Women’, Andrea noted the point that age isn’t an issue as it may be in other areas of television.
She added: "What’s so brilliant about ‘Loose Women’ is that it’s the only job on TV where getting older is a bonus. Any other job, you’d be thinking, ‘Crikey, they’re going to be looking for a younger, fresher model any time soon’.
"Actually on ‘Loose Women’, the older you are, the more experience and wisdom you have, the more stories you have to tell. If they will still have me I will happily be there for another 11 years. It’s a great job."
Andrea McLean defends Loose Women over diversity criticism
