'Loose Women' want to preserve the popularity of their show by keeping their most-loved panelists.

Ruth Langsford

Ruth Langsford

The lunchtime chat show has won numerous awards over the years and is still one of the most successful programmes to grace screens every day, so it's hardly surprising bosses are keen to keep the likes of Andrea McLean, Ruth Langsford, Stacey Solomon, Katie Price on the new series.

A spokesperson for the show exclusively told BANG Showbiz following false axe rumours: "We've just started a new series, ratings are up and all of our popular panellists are here to stay."

Last week, the programme celebrated its 18th birthday and, to mark the huge milestone, bosses invited Karren Brady - who sat on the panel 18 years ago - to sit alongside Kaye Adams, Jane Moore and Nadia Sawalha and reminisce on her time on the programme all those years ago.

Of originally joining the show Karren said: "It was really good for four women to get together, to debate issues, to talk about things that were important, to have our voice, to champion things."

'Loose Women' legend Sherrie Hewson - who has made an appearance in over 900 episodes over the years - also rocked up to join in the show's birthday bash.

She said: "I've always been very passionate about this show because I think we all watch it and we can identify. Not to everybody, but you can relate to one of the women at any one time.

"I don't know what I would have done without 'Loose Women'. I don't know what I would have done without the friendship that this show gives you. It's amazing... it's making me upset."

And she wasn't the only former panel member to make a return as Kerry Katona - who joined the programme when she was just 22 years old - was also asked to mark the occasion.

Kerry, now 37, said: "It was my first proper grown up job... obviously we had Atomic Kitten and we were singing and travelling the world. [But on 'Loose Women'] I felt like I was like Trevor McDonald. I felt like I was reading the news!

"I'm not as confident as I was then. I think then, you're so young in your twenties. I know who I am now but back then you're like, 'I know it all!' Whereas now, the older you get, obviously being a mum, you're much more aware of the things you're doing so you don't upset your kids."

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