Loose Women stars reunite as the show celebrates its 25th anniversary

Loose Women is celebrating its 25th anniversary and to mark the milestone, the show's current stars got together for a stunning silver-themed photo shoot. 

The ITV panel show first aired on September 6, 1999, and to celebrate turning 25, stars including Denise Welch, Kelly Holmes and Christine Lampard donned their most glamorous silver ensembles for a group photo.

Former EastEnders actress Nadia Sawalha and journalist Jane Moore - who appeared together on the very first episode - were among those pictured.  

Meanwhile long-running anchor Ruth Langsford, who appeared on episode two, was also spotted wearing a glittering cap-sleeved wrap gown.

Birds of a Feather star Linda Robson - who first appeared on the show full-time  in 2012 - also glammed up for the occasion in a sequin number, as is broadcast legend Janet Street-Porter, who recently marked her 1000th episode on the panel.

Coleen Nolan threw her head upwards in glee as she did away with her signature fringe, almost 24 years after she first appeared on the talk show.  

I'm A Celebrity's Charlene White - who took over from former weathergirl Andrea McLean as anchor in 2020 -  beamed as she cosied up to musical theatre actress Brenda Edwards.

Original panellist Kaye Adams opted for a dark grey high-necked gown while former Coronation Street star Denise wowed in a embroidered dress with a plunging neckline. 

Activist Katie sported a metallic form-fitting number, while former Casualty actress Sunetra Sarker donned a blazer-style gown, and Love Island star Olivia Attwood showed off her figure in a skin-tight high-necked garment as part of the shoot.

Comedienne Judi Love - who was recruited to appear on the show after producers spotted her ranting on Instagram -  also kept to the crisp silver theme in a tulle and satin gown, alongside Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge, who opted for a striking metallic pleated dress. 

Christine Lampard glowed in a racer-neck bejewelled dress, while Olympian Dame Kelly wowed in a fitted ruffled gown. 

Other famous faces to have appeared over the years include former cruise ship singer Jane McDonald, who recently made an emotional return to the desk, and Katie Price, who was a regular from 2015 until 2018.

As well as tacking a range of taboo subjects, some of the biggest guests to have appeared over the years include Britney Spears, Whoopi Goldberg, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift.  

Loose Women editor Sally Shelford said: 'Over the last 25 years, Loose Women has tackled taboos and talked about issues not openly discussed on television, including domestic abuse, menopause, miscarriage and grief. 

'Our incredible audience in the studio and at home have always been the fifth Loose Woman, and we promise to keep talking, sharing and shining a light on important subjects like these for our amazing viewers.'  

However, one noticeable absence from the snap was Stacey Solomon, casting doubt on whether she will ever return to the ITV show after revealing her surprise career change earlier this summer.  

The former singer has carved out a career in television presenting since she first came to public attention, and recently won her first National Television Award for her Sort Your Life Out series.   

Despite having appeared on Loose Women more than 350 times, Stacey's single appearance this year on the panel came in June, and prior to that she appeared in December 2023.

Stacey has also been a brand ambassador for In The Style in 2021, but recently announced plans to step back from the big job so she could focus on her family.

Stacey - who has Zachary, 16, Leighton, 12, from previous relationships as well as Rex, five, Rose, two, and 19-month-old Belle with Joe Swash - said: 'Throughout this year I've thought a lot about work/family balance & things that have needed to be prioritised.'

In 2023, Stacey's only other appearance on the show came in November, seven months after she gave birth to her youngest but at that time had she had not featured regularly for more than 18 months. 

But by this time, she had already been featured as a judge on Bake Off: The Professionals , taking over from comedian Tom Allen. 

Linda Robson, who was Stacey's only co-star to attend her Pickle Cottage wedding in 2022, explained to The Sun that the mum of five is 'too busy' to return to a full time job as she has her hands full with various other projects.

She said: 'I would love her to come back, she's a really good Loose Woman - she's really honest. But I think she's got too much on.

'She's got her own series and her and Joe are out in their little house. She's still really welcome but she's just so busy.'

Up until 2021, it had not been uncommon for Stacey to appear up to three times a week but she has featured less and less in more recent times.