Andrea McLean addresses Loose Women rift rumours and her relationship with ex co-stars

Andrea McLean has suggested she's rarely in touch with her former Loose Women co-stars because of her busy schedule, though she has stayed in contact with some of them.

The presenter, 53, had been a panelist on the ITV talk show for more than a decade from 2007 until her departure in 2020. She has since appeared in a guest capacity only.

She has revealed that whilst she has remained in contact with some of her former co-stars, they aren't necessarily in touch frequently due to work projects and schedules.

Discussing such friendships, she said: "I stay in contact with some of the Loose Women ladies, in the same way that I only get to talk to some when I was there - but not hugely".

Andrea McLean was a panelist on Loose Women for more than a decade after joining in 2007 (Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

She decided to leave the ITV show in 2020 (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

She explained during an interview with the Sun that she is "rubbish" at keeping in touch with people, though suggested that her "busy" work schedule is a reason for that.

Andrea - who now runs self-help membership group This Girl Is On Fire - said she messages Brenda Edwards, 53, Denise Welch, 64, Linda Robson, 64, and Saira Khan, 52.

She commented about her pals: "Brenda and I message, Denise, Linda Robson, Saira. [...] I was rubbish keeping in touch when I was there and I'm just as rubbish now".

She said that she has kept in touch with some former co-stars like Linda Robson (centre) and Brenda Edwards (right) (Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

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Andrea said that with "real friends" it doesn't matter if you haven't seen each other for several years, with her describing that as a "nice" element of such friendships.

It isn't the first time that she has spoken about her former co-stars, as she had admitted earlier this year that she hasn't kept in contact with everyone on the ITV show.

Asked if she'd stayed in touch with her former colleagues by Metro in April, she said: "Not everybody". Andrea said that would be the same for people who worked in an office.

Andrea has said she is 'rubbish' at keeping in touch with people though (ITV)

And reflecting on her departure from the show, she told the Mirror earlier this year that she didn't regret her decision to leave after almost 15 years as one of its panelists.

"I look back really fondly on my time there. I was so lucky. I had the best job in the world but it just didn't fit anymore. [...] Most of us will outgrow our jobs at some point," she said.

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