Loose Women's panelists ended up clashing today over the controversial topic of cheating, with Janet Street-Porter going head to head with her co-stars and branding them "moralising witches".
Janet had been joined by Charlene White, Linda Robson and Kelle Bryan as they discussed Sally Metcalfe discovering that Abi Franklin cheated on her husband (and Sally's ex) Kevin Webster.
The panel had been asked whether, if they were in Sally's shoes, they would expose their friend's cheating.
"What I'd say [is] if that hadn't happened and you'd had a one night stand, I don't think you should have any guilt attached whatsoever," Janet declared. "That doesn't really count."
Charlene probed: "Even if you're married?"
Shrugging, Janet said: "Well, yeah. If it's a one night stand and you're not going to do it with that person again, don't beat yourself up about it."
Linda shook her head over the remarks as Kelle looked vaguely disgusted.
Kelle exclaimed: "Janet! What's the point in getting married?!"
Linda insisted: "Cheating is cheating!"
As Kelle parroted Linda's remark, Janet groaned as she said: "Oh! Listen to this line-up of moralising witches!"
Gasping, Charlene reprimanded: "Janet! We're kind to each other on this programme, we don't call each other witches!"
"Oh, well is 'witches' another cancelled word?" Janet asked. "Sorry everyone at home because I called them witches, they're wonderful women I just don't agree with them."
Charlene rolled her eyes as Janet continued: "A friend of mine whose husband I knew incredibly well told me that he was boring and I had gone out with him myself so I knew that he was boring in the end. She told me that when they were married that she was thinking of having an affair with another bloke and I went, 'Just do it, I don't think it matters because if he doesn't know it doesn't matter."
Astounded, Kelle replied: "But it does matter because it's done. At the end of the day you make vows, because vows are supposed to be sacred, right? You make those promises, otherwise don't bother to make them. Just stay single and do what you want and that's fine."
"Kelle, I admire what you've said," Janet said. "But nevertheless, in the reality of life in Britain today, 40% of marriages end in divorce."
"Noted," Kelle replied.
Charlene asked: "So is the answer having a load of one night stands, then?"
"It's not 'having a load', but if you're in an unhappy marriage, if your husband is taking you for granted and if you should - as luck would have it - stray on the other side of the fence or have a bit of fun and it's perked you up, made you feel good, made you feel prepared to put up with the situation you find yourself in on a day-to-day basis, what harm is done?"
*Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV
