Loose Women viewers didn't seem to agree on changes to the show when it returned to screens on Monday (September 5). Things got off to a delayed start with This Morning, which airs before the ITV panel show, went on for longer than its usual allotted slot.
That's because they stayed on air to bring viewers live updates as the nation waited to find out who would become the next leader of the Conservative Party and therefore the new Prime Minister. As show crossed live to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, viewers heard Chairman of the Conservative Party's 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, make the official announcement.
He revealed that Liz Truss had earned more votes than competitor Rishi Sunak and was the new leader of the Tory party and Britain's next PM. After a brief analysis of the result, This Morning came to an end and Loose Women started 15 minutes later than billed on ITV.
READ MORE: ITV This Morning viewers horrified by 'frightening' change to popular game Spin to Win
Sharing their thoughts on the new leader, Brenda Edwards appeared most hopeful about Ms Truss’ leadership.She admitted to being someone who ‘never used to vote’, but that she’s ‘feeling good’ that Ms Truss has been voted in. Co-star Janet Street-Porter, however, told Brenda she would ask her ‘in a year’ whether she was still in favour of Ms Truss.
Unimpressed by the new leader's plans to tackle the Cost of Living crisis, Janet quipped: "Liz promised everything but the kitchen sink." She added: "Unless people can heat their homes by cucumbers, which are now £1, we will be very miserable indeed."
Meanwhile, the panel was quick to note a big change to the show. Before getting stuck into the political chat, Christine Lampard opened the show by saying: "Hello and welcome to your Monday Loose Women, live and we're not alone... the audience are back! The the camera panned round to show a packed crowd in front of the presenter and her colleagues Brenda, Janet, and Gloria Hunniford.
Reacting to the cheers in the studio, Christine added: "It's so lovely to see you all. You're all shiny, happy people, it feels great and we need that today I think," before joking that the 'very big news of the day,' was that Janet was working on a Monday for the 'first time ever.'
But Loose Women viewers tuning in from home appeared divided over the return of the show's live audience. @kellymcc5 tweeted: "The #Loosewomen are certainly making a big deal out of having a live audience again, they’ve been banging on about for weeks now." @liamandrews123 commented: "#loosewomen was better without a audience, i don’t get why they’ve got them back." @TellyVsPodcasts complained: Literally what was the point of having the Live Audience there? - it added absolutely nothing #LooseWomen."
But @ChrisLewin said: "It’s a new week, and @loosewomen is back, with their audience, and a new opening title, and I absolutely love it!" @danprofit21 shared: "@loosewomen FaBuLoUs to see the audience return. #loosewomen."
Early last month it was Coleen Nolan who confirmed that Loose Women will welcome back a live audience into the ITV studio in September this year - and the ladies as well as fans were overjoyed with the announcement. "Over the past two and half years, it’s been a bit lonely and empty in here," 57-year-old Coleen began at the time.
"We’ve got our lovely crew, but sorry crew, as much as we love you, it’s not quite enough." She then added: "This studio needs filling up, so from early September, we are bringing back the studio audience, guys." Christine 43, then commented: "We’ve actually really missed having a studio audience. It’s just us here, it’ll be so lovely to see you all coming back.
"We want to get as many of you as possible to fill up this studio from early September. It’s a chance to meet all of us and of course, you can have a bit of a sneak peek behind the scenes, the bits you don’t get on the telly. Tell all your friends, get all the gang together and come and join us in London for a day out like no other."
READ NEXT:
- Holly Willoughby shares rare insight into family as she dazzles in red on This Morning return with gorgeous hair transformation
- ITV This Morning viewers 'cringing' as they struggle to process Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield's extravagant return
- Phillip Schofield shows reality of night before ITV This Morning return
- Martin Lewis makes 'responsible' ITV Good Morning Britain decision over viewers' messages
- Susanna Reid looks gorgeous in make-up-free selfie as viewers cast verdict on ITV Good Morning Britain return
