LOOSE WOMEN star Sherrie Hewson has slammed “cruel” ITV bosses for cutting back on the show’s episodes that are a “lifeline” for viewers.
From next January the show will air for 30 weeks out of the year instead of the full 52 weeks because of budget cuts at the channel.
Sherrie Hewson has slammed ‘cruel’ ITV bosses for cutting back on the show’s episodes that are a ‘lifeline’ for viewers[/caption]
But Sherrie, 74, who now stars on Hollyoaks says that for some people it is the only interaction or discussion they feel in their lives and can even give some a reason to live.
She told the Sun on Sunday: “Women of all ages, those up to 95 down to younger women at home with young children, it’s like therapy to them.
“It feels cruel and sad that they’ve decided to cut the episodes on Loose Women which is a show that can bring anger and emotions.
“We all need that where we can all shout at the TV. Some people are lonely and it is a lifeline for them, the only discussion they may actually be part of during the day.
“TV should be an aid to joy and Loose Women allows people to join in. They love joining in, and a lot of people are going to miss it during those weeks it isn’t on.
“I know that there are budget cuts, I know that they have constraints. But it is such a shame that it is Loose Women – and Lorraine – who are being affected by this.”
During her spare time the actress volunteers in nursing homes where she says dementia patients tune into the lunchtime show.
She has seen the joy it brings them too and how the regular daily interaction with the panel they have become familiar with actually gives them a reason to live.
Sherrie says: “Loose Women is so important to them – it keeps them alive. They feel they are interacting. I go into the homes as a visitor, I chat to them and we watch telly together. We watch Loose Women together.”
The star left the show in 2016 to concentrate on filming Benidorm, playing Joyce Temple-Savage.
It is a role which fans are hoping she will reprise in the hotly tipped potential revival of the series.
She has also played Maureen on Coronation Street, Virginia Raven on Crossroads and Lesley in Emmerdale.
Since last year she has starred in Hollyoaks as serial killer Martha Blake.
The star is also working with Freeview channel Great! TV (must include), who have produced a report about how terrestrial TV has abandoned the over 55s in search for a younger audience.
Their study found that they are the generation who watch TV most averaging three hours and 42 minutes a day – but feel the most ignored by modern TV broadcasters.
Sherrie says: “And yes, the situation with Loose Women sadly fits into that.”
Now the network is relaunching and prioritising much-loved and classic, high-quality TV series and movies.
Single Sherrie now lives in Lancashire and spends every day looking after her grandchildren. But she has no plans to retire – because as well as watching TV she loves being on it.
She says: “I’ve done loads of things from Big Brother to Benidorm but the one show I truly loved was Coronation Street. I would love to go back to Corrie. I wouldn’t mind going on Strictly either because both my parents were dancers, but maybe they see me as a bit too old for that now.”
And although she loved being on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks she refused to watch herself on TV because she can’t stand to look at her face.
She says: “I had a facelift in 2000 and I would love another one. The only problem is it is very expensive.
“I can’t watch myself on Hollyoaks, I see too many lines these days. I hate looking in mirrors too. I have weathered badly, I think it is because I am a picky eater, I’ve not had the best diet.
“You can have all kinds of facial treatments now but I think a facelift would be better for me, because I’ve got a lot of skin now to deal with too. I don’t enjoy the ageing process. I don’t even like looking in the mirror these days.”