ITV’s Daytime division is on the brink of civil war after this week’s brutal cost-cutting announcement hammered Loose Women while leaving This Morning sitting pretty.
We can reveal the line-up had been left in the dark about , which will take effect from January.
None of the 26-strong pool of hosts including big-hitters , and had been warned the show will be , for30weeks of the year.
The old guard — some of whom have been on board since day one 25 years ago — now fear they will be left scrambling for shifts while the PR-friendly younger panellists like turned documentary-maker , influencer and Saturdays singer clean up.
Their anger is also with and ’s , which has escaped the measures unscathed despite the show’s troubled recent history.
A source at ITV HQ said: “The tension is unbearable. There’s a lot of rage towards This Morning, which everyone feels is constantly favoured despite it being the lame duck of the daytime flock.
“The infighting is a feverish time-bomb which executives are desperate to defuse.
“ITV Daytime could combust from the inside out at this rate.”;;
‘Fight for their places’
, which were announced on Tuesday, mean it will be stripped of more than 100 episodes a year.
The cast are now acutely aware this means there will be less work up for grabs, with a third expected to lose out on shifts, and The Sun has learned the old-timers reckon bosses will favour the youngsters.
A source close to one of the Loose Women veterans said: “A lot of the older panellists have lived through rumours of cuts and through the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 which hit ITV hard — and they weathered that.
“But this was completely unexpected and it came out of nowhere.
“They feel like often all the negative criticism is levelled at them — the odd “out of touch”;; comment — whereas with the new panellists such as Liv and Grace there is a buzz around them because they have that different point of view.
“Execs have also proudly pro-claimed how the youngsters have brought with them a much-needed new audience — and now all of a sudden the older panellists feel like they are going to have to fight for their places against these shiny teachers’ .
“It’s now five months or so for them to prove their worth and sing for their supper.”;;
An ITV source insisted Loose Women’s older panellists are highly valued, and celebrated by the show’s Over 60 and Over 70 specials, while the programme’s new podcast would keep everyone busy.
ITV has also said it will try to preserve “the look”;; of each of their daytime shows and not touch talent — yet.
It is thought that means Loose Women’s four stalwart presenters, Christine, , and , are all safe.
This was completely unexpected and it came out of nowhere
A source
But others are now nervously looking over their shoulder.
Our source added: “The older panellists feel like until January they’re on probation and pragmatic bosses will be scrutinising their every tweet, every rating and audience polling — everything like that.
“The younger panellists can charge more for an post than they get for a Loose Women appearance but the older ladies really rely on the regular fees.
“Some of the panel’s agents have better with the show’s producers than others and that’s another thing adding further tension.”;;
There is also disparity around how the various Loose Women are paid, with some on PAYE and others on a freelance rate, although while the take-home differs, every star is thought to be on the same fee of £3,000 per episode.
Their earnings pale, though, when compared with the salaries on This Morning of Cat, Ben, and , who are thought to be raking in more than £500,000 a year.
Yet it’s not just the salaries of the glossy foursome on This Morning that are riling their Daytime counterparts at ITV.
The schedule overhauls in the new year will also see the slot extended by 30 minutes while Kelly’s chat .
ITV Daytime could combust from the inside out at this rate
A source
A worker on the Lorraine show told The Sun: “Everyone is absolutely furious that This Morning has got away with it yet again.
Schofield claims
“There’s a feeling that Loose Women and Lorraine are delivering resilient, solid ratings while This Morning is always in the Press for its tumbling viewing figures.Loose Women is even winning awards.
“Never mind the and then leaving, This Morning is like the black sheep and yet that’s the show that is not facing any cuts.”;;
In its heyday, This Morning enjoyed ratings of 2.7million viewers but now it is lucky to .
in May 2023, following claims he had engaged in an who first joined the show .
after a man was arrested — later to be jailed — for .
Meanwhile Loose Women won a prestigious Royal Society award this year and was nominated for a TV Bafta.
But a source close to suggested that for personal reasons she “welcomed”;; the cut to her show, which previously ran for an hour.
The beloved presenter, 65, will also now work across five days instead of taking Fridays off, and our source said: “It was said she might decide to walk over the news but in fact the shorter run will give her more time with her family each day.”;;
“Lorraine’s only concern is if the standard of the show drops through losing key members of the team — which I suppose is a concern across the board.
“But with the Loose Women now all forced to spend every shifteffectivelyauditioning for their own role, it’ll surely affect how bold, feisty and loose they’re prepared to be.”;;
Some 220 production staff will lose their as part of the changes at ITV but boss Kevin Lygo has pledged the funds saved will support new drama and sport.
