Janet Street Porter has defended Coleen Nolan over her row with Kim Woodburn.
Janet Street Porter
The 'Loose Women' star has leaped to her fellow panellist's defence after she stepped away from the show because of heavy criticism and vile threats over her row on-air with her former 'Celebrity Big Brother' housemate last week.
Writing for the Daily Mail, Janet said: "I can't sit by and not react to the loathsome accusations that Coleen is a heartless b***h and a mean-minded bully - all the result of a few chaotic minutes of live television - an interview with reality star Kim Woodburn that rapidly spun out of control. (sic)"
Coleen cancelled her appearance on the show on Thursday (06.09.18) as a result of the backlash.
She and Kim had been at loggerheads ever since they starred on the Channel 5 reality show last year, and fans had tuned into the show last week hoping to see the pair reconcile, but were left shocked when 76-year-old Kim brand Coleen "lying trash" and a "piece of filth" before storming off the set after a heated row.
The former member of the Nolan Sisters received harsh backlash after the incident from critics who had sided with Kim, and some of them even told her they hope she "dies like [her] sister" Bernie Nolan, who passed away from breast cancer aged 52 in 2013.
Defending her friend, Janet hit back at those who have hit out, describing them as "small-minded idiots" in a passionately-written column.
She added: "To put the record straight, Coleen Nolan is not a bully - and neither am I. I'm proud she's my friend, and shame on those people who want to hurt her."
Her comments come after Coleen said she almost quit the talk show all together, but has settled for a break instead.
Bursting into tears on 'This Morning' while referring to her spat with Kim, she said: "I don't know what I did wrong? I didn't say anything. I said about two things. She needs help. I feel terribly sorry for her.
"I've never called her names. She's called me every name under the sun. But to be called a bully ... and then to have messages going, 'Why can't you die like your sister?' 'Can't you get cancer like your sister?'
"In 50 years of doing a job I really love ... there's a campaign to get me fired. They sent me revolting things to the point where I phoned my management and said to my kids, 'I can't.'
"I cancelled everything last week after it. I just said, 'I can't do it, I don't want to do it anymore.' "
Tagged in Coleen Nolan Janet Street Porter Kim Woodburn