Andrea McLean has revealed she quit Loose Women via a bombshell email which left her ITV co-stars in “absolute shock”.
The 51-year-old television star announced she was leaving the programme at the end of last year after starring in the daytime telly series for 13 years.
She opened up about her decision to leave the lunchtime chatshow behind in an interview with Sunday Mirror’s Notebook magazine.
Andrea said she has no doubts she made the right decision, but it felt “scary” to walk away.
When asked about how she handed in her notice, she told the publication: “I emailed my bosses. I just said I needed to follow my heart…
Andrea McLean said her Loose Women co-stars were ‘absolutely shocked’ when she announced her departure (Image: andreamclean1/Instagram)
“I was sat in the car! I had it all written and ready to go. I just felt like, now the next part of my life begins.
“It was like I’d pressed the start button. But it felt really right and now I’m happier than ever.”
Andrea said she kept her departure a secret from her television star colleagues until her resignation email was sent.
Andrea became emotional when she told viewers she was leaving Loose Women (Image: ITV)
She admitted they were “in absolute shock” after hearing the news.
Andrea said: “I didn’t breathe a word to anybody because I felt like it was such a personal decision.
“The hardest person to tell was Brenda Edwards because we’ve become so close. She just burst into tears and ran out of the room.
“I know her well enough to know not to follow her. So I let her have her moment and she came back about five times. It was quite funny, actually.”
Saira Khan made her departure from Loose Women shortly after Andrea left (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Andrea also spoke about her co-star Saira Khan’s recent exit from the show and confirmed she “wasn’t surprised”.
The media star said that they would “often talk about what it’s like when you’re running a business” as well as working in television.
Andrea said: “She hadn’t said anything [about quitting], but I wasn’t surprised. Because I know how passionate she is about what she does…
“[It was a] total coincidence [they left around the same time]!”
Andrea also opened up about how she thinks the coronavirus pandemic impacted her decision to leave as she said: “You can’t help but reflect on this one life you’re given.”
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
