Andrea McLean made a heartfelt return to the ITV show “Loose Women” after a five-year hiatus. This return follows her battle with severe health issues that began last December.
Health Struggles and Recovery
The former panellist described her experience with debilitating “flu-like symptoms” that escalated quickly. After enduring a week of high temperatures and chest discomfort, she noticed concerning symptoms, including dark brown urine. In a dramatic turn, Andrea collapsed in her bathroom. It was only after an hour that her husband, Nick Feeney, found her, prompting an urgent call to emergency services.
Medical Challenges
- Spent three months in and out of the hospital
- Underwent numerous medical tests
- Suffered a significant loss of lung capacity, around 80% of one lung
Reflecting on her health journey, Andrea shared that the experience has profoundly changed her perspective on life. “There is nothing that sharpens the mind more than realizing that this is it,” she stated, emphasizing the fragility of life.
Return to Loose Women
Andrea previously exited “Loose Women” in 2020 after a 13-year tenure. Her departure was motivated by a desire to focus on her brand and website. Unfortunately, her business, The Girl is On Fire, was dissolved in 2024 due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Returning to the show, Andrea spoke fondly of her experience. “It’s been so lovely to listen to you all. It feels like the world’s best FaceTime,” she remarked, expressing gratitude for her former colleagues.
Personal and Professional Reflections
As she discussed her marriage of eight years, Andrea acknowledged the challenges they have faced together. She also announced the upcoming release of her book, *Shameless: Finding Freedom and Resilience Through Failure*, due in May 2026.
The book aims to address feelings of shame and the challenges of coping with failures. “The thing that paralyzes us more than anything else is feeling really bad about failure,” she observed, highlighting the importance of resilience.
As she wrapped up her visit, the panel expressed their support, with colleague Charlene White remarking, “You’ve always got a large part of our hearts here!”
