Saira Khan, the previous panelist on the popular talk show Loose Women, has provided insight into her experience on the show, her decision to exit, and her ongoing friendships with former colleagues in a sincere discussion.

Speaking to Woman’s Own magazine, Saira, who initially rose to prominence as the second-place finisher on The Apprentice in 2005, shared her reflections on her tenure from 2015 to 2020 on the daytime chat program. She clarified her reason for leaving Loose Women, stating: “It was more about personal growth and acknowledging, ‘Here’s what I appreciate, and here’s what I’m uneasy with’, and some processes involved I wasn’t comfortable with.”

“This doesn’t imply a conflict; it simply means it was not fulfilling for me.”

On her relationship with the other panelists, she shared: “I recently accompanied Ruth [Langsford] to see Coleen [Nolan] on her solo tour in Blackpool. I maintain contact with Andrea [McLean] and Denise [Welch]. It’s a misconception that we had a falling out, but it wasn’t about the women, it was largely about me.”

Jeremy Vine, Saira Khan
Saira Khan has made a TV comeback on Jeremy Vine on 5
(Image: @jeremyvineon5/Instagram)

After Loose Women, Saira has embarked on challenges such as SAS: Who Dares Wins, where she teamed up with celebrities like Kerry Katona and James Cracknell, and made guest appearances on the Jeremy Vine on 5 program, which she confessed suits her more than her former role, according to reports from OK!.

“I wouldn’t return to Loose Women; I’ve experienced that and I believe I’ve emerged from it with the knowledge that I want to progress and engage in activities that truly interest me,” she shared. “Also, Jeremy Vine provides me with an opportunity to discuss politics as well as personal life and identity. I believe people can become disinterested with repetition of the same topics.”

“I also appreciate the diversity, the blend of men and women, which is more reflective of reality and involves more laughter.”

Saira Khan and Denise Welch
Saira and Denise Welch still keep in touch post Loose Women
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Revisiting her decision to join Jeremy Vine’s show earlier this year, she told The Mirror: “After a hiatus from television, it was refreshing to return, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed it. It was Jeremy [Vine] who convinced me to return.”

She concluded: “Taking a break can be beneficial, and I now feel more self-assured about my identity and the messages I want to convey.”