‘I didn’t breathe a word to anybody’: Andrea McLean left her Loose Women co-stars ‘in absolute shock’ after quitting the show in bombshell email
Andrea McLean has revealed she left her Loose Women co-stars ‘in absolute shock’ after quitting the show last December.
In a new interview, the presenter, 51, admitted she ‘didn’t breathe a word to anybody’ as she sent in her resignation via email following 13 years on the ITV programme.
The journalist – who departed her role to focus on her company, This Girl Is On Fire – said: ‘I emailed my bosses. I just said I needed to follow my heart. I was sat in the car! I had it all written and ready to go. I just felt like, now the next part of my life begins.
‘I didn’t breathe a word to anybody’: Andrea McLean has revealed she left her Loose Women co-stars ‘in absolute shock’ after quitting the show last December (pictured in 2019)
‘It was like I’d pressed the start button. But it felt really right and now I’m happier than ever. I didn’t breathe a word to anybody because I felt like it was such a personal decision.’
The media personality went on to admit that fellow panellist Brenda Edwards broke down in tears when she heard the news as they grew close during their stint on the series.
TV star Andrea also touched on keeping in touch with Saira Khan, 50, who departed the daytime show just weeks after from her own exit.
I pressed the start button’: In a new interview, the presenter, 51, admitted she ‘didn’t breathe a word to anybody’ as she sent in her resignation via email following 13 years (pictured in 2020)
‘I wasn’t surprised’: TV star Andrea also touched on keeping in touch with Saira Khan, 50, who departed the daytime show just weeks after from her own exit (pictured in 2020)
‘We became close’: The media personality admitted fellow panellist Brenda Edwards broke down in tears when she heard the news (pictured in 2020 with Saira and Linda Robson)
The host added to This Mirror: ‘[It was a] total coincidence. I spoke to her about it all once I’d made the decision, and she totally got it. She hadn’t said anything about quitting, but I wasn’t surprised. I know how passionate she is about what she does.’
Andrea has thrown herself into the business since leaving Loose Women and This Girl Is On Fire launched a special membership on its website on February 1.
As well as her encouraging blog and website which covers wellness and lifestyle, the former GMTV star has also written a best-selling book under the same business name.
The mother-of-two previously admitted she agonised over the decision for months, stating in an interview with OK! Magazine: ‘It was such a slow burner. By the time it came around, it felt like absolutely the right thing to do.
‘It was a weird decision – it did feel scary! It took months of thinking about it. We were preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Nick and I sat down and wrote what we needed to prepare for.
‘Worst case – we would have to sell the house. Best, the This Girl Is On Fire membership and website we’ve set up works and we’re successful with that.’
New focus: The host and her husband Nick Feeney (pictured together) have been working on their business This Girl Is On Fire, which launched a special membership on its website