The star spills the beans on which panellists she’s still in contact with and her exciting plans for the future
WORDS: JULIE ANN TRAINOR. PHOTOS: GETTY, INSTAGRAM@ ANDREAMCLEAN1, SHUTTERSTOCK
Loose Women viewers were shocked when Andrea McLean announced that she was leaving the show in late 2020. Despite being an anchor on the panel since 2007, the former weather presenter decided it was time to step outside her comfort zone and try something new.
Yet here, the 54-year-old exclusively reveals to Woman’s Own that she’s set for a TV comeback this year, explaining why now is the perfect time to take the leap. As she prepares to appear in front of the cameras again, Andrea fills us in on moving back to London, returning to Loose Women and the secret to her weight loss…
Hi Andrea, great to see you! What have you been up to lately?
I’ve got my Mastering Midlife podcast with my husband Nick [Feeney]. I’d been coaching through This Girl Is on Fire [Andrea’s mindset app], but after I contracted long COVID last year that sadly had to close. But I’ve retrained and now I’m a media coach. I’ve just had my first course accredited, which is super exciting.
You were on TV for over two decades – can you ever see yourself returning?
I get asked this all the time and for the past few years my answer has always been no. However, since coaching others, the door in my head has creaked open a bit. It’s almost like the gods knew it, and suddenly people are knocking on the door again, which is nice. So yes, I could be coming back on screens this year, but I’m not saying any more than that!
Will it be to reprise any of your former roles?
I don’t want to say [laughs].
ITV has announced that Celebrity Big Brother will be back for another series this year. Would you ever consider it?
Many years ago I was asked, but I would never [do it]. It looks so scary. It’s different from I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, because at least you’re doing trials and earning stars. I just wouldn’t enjoy Celebrity Big Brother – it’s very intense.
Do you have any reservations about going back to television?
No, I’m excited. Sometimes you need to step away from something to just kind of gather and regroup, and then you look at things with a fresh set of eyes and a fresh set of experiences. I’m not nervous – not at all. I’m quite chilled about it, actually.
When can we expect you back on TV?
There’s nothing planned, but the door opened and then people started poking their heads in with offers.
