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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Loose Women panel clash in heated class system debate - leaving viewers divided

Loose Women's Carol McGiffin and Charlene White clashed over their views on the UK class system during Tuesday's episode, before Carol also got a little heated with Coleen Nolan.

While Linda Robson backed Carol's thoughts, the panel, like viewers, were divided over what class really meant and if it mattered.

The quartet were debating this topic on the show on Tuesday, and things got a little awkward as the panellists disagreed with one another.

Coleen soon sided with Charlene as they both discussed instances where they or others were made to feel inferior to people of another class.

But as Coleen shared her own experiences of being looked down on, Carol repeated: "No," as she didn't agree that this was a thing.

Loose Women's Carol McGiffin, Charlene White, Coleen Nolan and Linda Robson debated whether class in the UK still mattered (ITV)

As it began, Carol said of her opinion: "I'm really not bothered what class people are. I think it's become more about money, I think people assume there's a link between class and money.

"Which I don't think there is because I think there are a hell of a lot of people who are upper class who are pretty skint and don't have money. I think it's what you're born into.

"If you're born into an upper class family or a traditional upper class family, then you are always upper class. It doesn't matter, you could be homeless on the street, you will still be an upper class person.

Carol McGiffin and Charlene White clashed over the views on the UK class system (ITV)

"I believe because I was born into a proper working class family, it doesn't matter where I am now or what I'm doing, I am still working class, I can't shake that off, and I'm happy with that."

As Charlene admitted she disagreed with her, she said: "I think in the last sort of 20, 30 years, the boundaries have become blurred where class is concerned."

She added: "When you look at somebody who is working class by the definitions, there are lots of different definitions of it, they tend to involve a lot of manual labours, you're looking at cleaners, you're looking at bus drivers, mechanics, those sorts of jobs which come under the umbrella of working class for example.

"But it's that middle class section that has changed most I think over the last few years, so you can be lower middle class which I do think is what you come into Carol. Then you've got the middle, middle class, and then you've got the upper middle class, which someone like Boris Johnson would come into..."

As Charlene admitted she disagreed with her, she ended up having to tell Carol "listen" as she began speaking over her (ITV)

Carol then interrupted, saying: "What you're saying is if you earn a lot of money and you change what you do for a living, you can become middle class."

As Charlene replied: "Yes of course," Carol told her: "No... that's just social climbing," as the pair spoke over each other.

Charlene then used the example of a self-made billionaire who came from a working class background, as she suggested there was "no way" they could still classify themselves as working class.

But Carol disagreed, saying: "Why not?" as Linda agreed: "It's their background though, they've worked for that billion."

While Linda Robson backed Carol's thoughts, the panel, like viewers, were divided over what class meant and if it mattered (ITV)

Charlene went on: "They've worked for that billion, but if they're a billionaire they do not have to work daily in any job they can find in order to pay their bills"

Things continued to get loud as Carol disagreed with this view along with Linda, while Coleen appeared to back Charlene.

Linda then added: "It doesn't matter if I had a billion pounds, I'd still be working class," causing Charlene to go on to repeat her point.

Charlene also made the point that it was also about "how other people treat you", stating: "You could be working class walking into a room with a load of upper class, middle class people, who could make you feel like less than the dirt on the bottom of their shoe."

Carol hit out at this though, shouting back: "But that would be you feeling that way, they wouldn't make you feel like that. No, I don't think so."

Coleen then shared her thoughts, and said: "It still happens, I've walked in and because of the way I speak and where I come from, especially in the North, they have looked down on me and gone, 'she's a bit too common'."

But Carol soon began shouting out and played down Coleen's experiences, saying: "No, I don't believe it."

Coleen responded: "Well you should believe it because I've heard it."

Viewers at home seemed just as divided on the subject, and more so on the differing opinions of the panel.

Taking to Twitter, many disagreed with Carol with one viewer saying: "@CharleneWhite giving #LooseWomen an education on working class, Carol is in denial and dismissive."

Viewers at home seemed just as divided on the subject, and more so on the differing opinions of the panel (ITV)

Another agreed: "How could anyone define a billionaire as working class? You might have been one day, but once you’ve got loads of money, you’re most certainly not working class anymore."

Others were in agreement with Carol though, as one viewer said: "Absolutely agree @McGiff that is exactly what working class is #spoton #LooseWomen."

A second fan said: "I agree with Carole on the class thing," while a third tweeted: "I totally agree with Carol just because you have money doesn't mean your upper class that's rubbish."

Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV and ITV Hub.

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