ITV Loose Women star quits show live on air and says 'I'm vulnerable'

ITV panellist Janet has announced her temporary show exit after 13 years on the panel in an update.
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ITV Loose Women’s Janet Street-Porter has announced she’s stepping back from the show after 13 years amid her health battle. ITV panellist Janet has announced her temporary show exit after 13 years on the panel in an update.

The 77-year-old is set to leave the programme to undergo and recover from a hip replacement. She was supported by her co-stars after revealing the news live on air today (Wednesday October 2), having joined Loose Women as a panellist in 2011.

She said: "On Friday, I'm having my hip replacement operation at last. And I can't think about anything else. As I'm sitting here, I'm shaking and my hands are freezing cold. I keep shivering. I keep dreaming about it. When they open me up, what's gonna come out? What if they can't get it back together again?

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"I'm just going to go into hospital on Friday, have the operation on Friday afternoon, staying in hospital for a few days and then go really, really work at rehab and physio, so that I can come back as soon as possible. I'll have to do one of those broadcasts from my phone hospital bed, I'm gonna see."

Janet replied: "I am vulnerable and, you know what, it's my own fault now because they told me in March to have it done, I delayed and delayed and delayed it. And then, at the weekend, I had some winter vegetables and plants delivered, and in spite of my partner screaming at me, 'Do not plant them,' I was on all fours lying on the ground poking these little parsnips and things in.

"And then, all Sunday morning, I could not move. I just could not move. And I really messed up the other side of my back now, so I've had to lie down for two days. It's brought home to me that, you know, I've let myself get too weak and I've never been like this in my life before, so it's just so irritating."