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Carol McGiffin has torn into Loose Women after quitting the show due to an ‘unjust’ contract dispute.
The presenter has been a long-running favourite on the Loose Women panel since 2000 but was reportedly ‘forced’ to quit the show after sharing Covid conspiracy theories.
Appearing on GB News to address her absence from Loose Women, she said: ‘Well put it this way, reading all the comments from the article at the weekend there are a lot of people who think the programme has gone very, very woke.’
She joked that even she doesn’t watch anymore and added: ‘You just don’t have to keep forcing this stuff down peoples’ throats. It’s not just ITV, the BBC is probably worse actually.’
In her weekly column for Best magazine, Carol wrote: ‘The problem was, ITV were insisting, for the first time since I went back in 2018, that if I wanted to carry on doing the show, I would have to sign a contract that was totally unjust and unworkable for me, so I had to say ‘no thanks.’”
She added that she’s been ‘quite upset about it’, and said it was a decision she was ‘forced to make’.
Carol McGiffin confirmed her exit from Loose Women (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
‘No one in their right mind would have signed that contract,’ she continued. ‘And I can’t see a way back from it.’
Her Loose Women co-stars were quick to share their support for Carol.
‘I really miss you and am so gutted,’ write Charlene White, while Branda Edwards agreed: ‘Carol, I always enjoy when you are on as we have such a laugh, but you of course must always do what is best for you!
‘I really hope I get to see you again love you lots lovely lady. Keep Smiling.’
Carol gave her first TV interview since quitting Loose Women (Picture: GB News)
An ITV spokesperson said in a statement sent to Metro.co.uk: ‘ITV will not comment on or disclose details of individual contracts but all ITV contracts comply with the required employment and HMRC legislation.’
On April 6 2021, changes to the off-payroll working rules (IR35) came into effect, as stipulated by HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs).
On the government’s website, it explains that the ‘responsibility for working out if the off-payroll working rules (IR35) apply moved to the organisation receiving an individual’s services’.
Metro.co.uk understands that this meant that the responsibility for determining whether a position is employed or self-employed for tax purposes now sits with all employers, with ITV updating its contracting police in line with the updated legislation.
It’s understood that the broadcaster made sure that anyone whose contract was subject to change as a result was notified, with assessments done on a case-by-case basis and continually monitored.
Carol has always been one of the most outspoken Loose Women stars since her very first appearance in 2000.
She took a break from Loose Women in 2013, returning in 2018.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.
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Carol confirmed her exit over an ‘unjust’ contract dispute.