Samia Longchambon joins the Loose Women panel after Denise Welch and Nadia Sawalha's exits
Bosses are looking a refreshing the panelSamia Longchambon has confirmed she will make her Loose Women panel debut today, taking her television work beyond the Coronation Street cobbles.
The soap star, 44, has appeared as a guest before, but this will be her first full programme in a panel seat.
Her booking follows Denise Welch’s departure and Nadia Sawalha’s exit from the long-running discussion show.
Samia Longchambon joins Loose Women panel
Samia is best known to soap viewers as Maria Connor in Corrie. She has played the character on and off since 2000.
But today (Wednesday September 16, 2026), fans will see her as herself on Loose Women.
Samia announced her exciting news on Instagram last night, confirming she will be on the show at 12.30pm on ITV1.
She said: “I just wanted to let you all know that tomorrow I’m going to be a Loose Lady, I’m going to be on the panel of Loose Women.”
Samia then explained why this appearance feels different from her previous visits.
“I’ve never actually been on the panel before, I’ve been a guest but I’ve never actually sat there for the whole show chatting, so I’m really looking forward to it,” she added.
“I’m also slightly nervous but they do say do something every day that scares you, so that’s what mine’s going to be tomorrow.”
Samia finished by inviting viewers to tune in for her first experience around the panel: “So if you’re around, it’s half 12 until half one, so grab a brew and join us,” she said.
Loose Women’s panel shake-up
Samia’s guest panelist stint comes amid a shake-up at Loose Women. This summer, the ITV show lost both Denise Welch and Nadia Sawalha from the show.
Nadia is taking legal action against ITV amid allegations she has been “treated unlawfully” because of her “protective beliefs”. Nadia alleges that her difficulties began after she publicly expressed support for Palestine in December 2023.
Nadia never discussed her beliefs on the ITV show. A petition calling for her Loose Women return has collected 93,000 signatures.
Denise, meanwhile, has quit the show of her own accord. She has decided to focus on her acting career.
According to The Sun, Loose Women bosses have spent the summer working on a new approach for the programme after its panel shake-up.
Singer Anastacia and businesswoman Emma Grede have reportedly held talks about becoming panellists on the show. Both women are said to have been offered two-month contracts, which would see them make regular appearances.
Who would you like to see on there?
Read more: When is 70 Up on next? Fans desperate to watch second episode of ITV finale have got to wait
Loose Women continues at 12.30pm, weekdays, on ITV1.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
