Stacey Solomon was absent as the Loose Women paid tribute to the Queen at the start of four days of Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Stars Gloria Hunniford, Linda Robson, Jane Moore and Kaye Adams dressed up as the Queen through the ages in the bumper episode of the hit ITV daytime show.
Loose Women also played a clip of several of the panellists paying a special tribute to the monarch. Coleen Nolan, Janet Street-Porter, Ruth Langsford and Frankie Bridge were among those in pre-recorded clips to thank the Queen for her years of service - but Stacey was conspicuously absent, the Mirror reports.
Katie Piper said in a message to the monarch: "Your dedication and your spirit is a huge inspiration to me", while Brenda raised a mug "from one strong woman to another". Linda added: "We all love you. We think you're an amazing woman. You're a style icon. You're a great mother and you're a great grandmother.”
Stacey has been outspoken in her criticism of the Royals on Loose Women in previous episodes. The mum-of-four sparked debate in 2018 when she shared her views in an appearance alongside panellists Christine Lampard, Linda Robson and Jane Moore.
In the clip she said: “I don’t get why we’re so obsessed with these humans that are exactly the same. It could be us four sitting there, I just don’t get it.” After Jane said that she believes the Royals are “becoming like celebrities”, she answered: "To me, that’s all they are.”
When Stacey questioned her fellow panellists on their reasons for “loving” the Queen, Jane answered: “For duty, responsibility, figurehead,” while Linda stated: “She’s always worked really hard, hasn’t she?” Stacey responded: “But I would work hard if the country paid for me to have like 12 houses and work really hard."
"They don't pay for all the houses," Jane said, "We contribute about £39m a year. It costs £300m a year to run the Royal Family. But I’m with you. After the Queen, I’d have them all on bicycles and living in a terraced house. But I love the Queen, I think she’s fantastic.”
Debating the Royal Family's lavish accommodation, former X Factor star Stacey said: “It’s freezing cold outside and people are homeless and these people have houses to spare and it does sometimes become a little bit frustrating because I don’t see the purpose of all that money going to this entire family.”
The Loose Women star’s blistering attack on the nation's “obsession” with the Royals went viral and it has resurfaced on social media in recent days amid the Jubilee celebrations.
