Coleen Nolan thinks ‘Loose Women’ is leading the way with diversity.
The 54-year-old star has called for greater representation within daytime television, but insisted the ITV lunchtime panel show has taken great strides to include women of all ages.
She told Digital Spy: "I think we’ve a long way to go. On TV, really apart from, I guess, well-established newsreaders, there’s only really ‘Loose Women’ that has a completely diverse age range across the board.
"From 20-year-olds, up to women in their 70s. There isn’t that many women over a certain age, especially in prime time, on the telly."
She added that the programme can still do more though, and noted that everyone is "welcome".
Asked about bosses bringing in more diverse panellists, Coleen said: "Oh my god, 100%. ‘Loose Women’ is open to everyone.
"Like I say, age, religious belief, colour… There’s absolutely nobody that wouldn’t be welcome on the panel."
However, the presenter admitted it was important to make sure any new additions can pull their weight and not get overwhelmed by the nature of the show.
She explained: "I’m also a believer that if they come on and they’re brilliant, then they should be regular. But like anyone, if they come on and it’s not for them or it doesn’t work for them, then they shouldn’t be on just for that reason.
"Because I don’t think that does them any favours either. It’s like sometimes when we get really young panellists on… we used to have people that were like, I don’t know, 19 [or] 20.
"And even they would say, ‘Do you know what, it’s really hard because I haven’t experienced some of the topics you’re talking about or haven’t got kids or haven’t been married.’ So it doesn’t work for them."
Coleen Nolan praises Loose Women diversity
