Penny Lancaster's Loose Women exit explained after star left panel amid 'toxic' rumours
01.09.2023 - 14:27
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Penny Lancaster first appeared on Loose Women in 2014 as a regular panellist on the ITV show.
However, the TV personality has become the most recent prominent face to depart from the show, amid recent rumours of backstage negativity and toxicity.
The shock news that she will no longer work as a regular panellist - but will appear on future shows as a 'guest' - comes amid a slew of high-profile exits, including Carol McGiffin.
Now, a representative of the star was quick to reveal the real reason behind the special police constable's exit.
They said: "Penny has been approached to appear on the show in September but is only available for one date in the near future; a date that does not work for Loose Women," as reports the MailOnline.
"Penny has just returned from abroad after six weeks away; and she is off to South America shortly. Loose Women and we have agreed to look at the diary again on her return in October.
"It is obvious that Penny is no longer a regular panellist. This is purely due to other professional and personal commitments.
"Penny loves the show, and Loose Women loves Penny. But such appearances as she is able to make in the future will be as a guest."
Penny featured on the show a whopping 105 times since first joining, appearing on viewers' screens regularly until last autumn.
It follows Loose Women agent Melanie Blake, who has represented 15 of the women who have appeared on the show, describing it as 'cutthroat'.
Talking in the wake of the Phillip Schofield scandal, she said: "In my experience, it's that show that's a cut-throat place to work and not This Morning."
Speaking previously, she said: "Put a load of ambitious women together with a small amount of seats to fill and inevitably there is always going to be