UMVA has learned that a Loose Women star is threatening to boycott the show if Nadia Sawalha is allowed to return, amid allegations of antisemitic remarks made by the 61-year-old presenter.
Sawalha has been absent from the popular daytime TV series since late April, when she allegedly made antisemitic remarks on her YouTube channel. Despite denying these reports, branding them ‘lies’ on Instagram, there is reportedly considerable friction behind the scenes at ITV over Sawalha’s planned return.
A 15-page dossier outlining Sawalha’s alleged antisemitic remarks was handed to ITV bosses, accusing her of ‘peddling in antisemitic conspiracy theories, tropes and rhetoric.’ The dossier notably accuses Sawalha of mocking antisemitism allegations and promoting a false claim that Israel had passed a law to ‘hang Muslims and Christians.’
According to information obtained by UMVA, one panellist has threatened to boycott the show entirely if Sawalha returns, with some staff considering her a ‘loose cannon’ and fearing that associating with her could tarnish their own reputations. There are reports that some staff members believe Sawalha has been treated more favourably by bosses, with one insider explaining that ‘other stars have been hung out to dry or quietly iced out over relatively small misdemeanours, yet execs seem determined to defend Nadia.’
The situation has caused significant tension among the show’s staff, with one insider telling UMVA that ‘it was the only thing anyone was talking about yesterday. There is so much bad blood. Nadia has many defenders on the show, but others have made it crystal clear they will flat-out refuse to work with her.’
The drama couldn’t come at a worse time for Loose Women, which had its budget significantly reduced last year. There are now fears that any controversy may cause advertisers to walk away from the show, putting further pressure on an already stretched budget.
