Coleen Nolan has confessed to being “terrified” about the prospect of her Loose Women role being jeopardised.
During a discussion on Monday’s (October 28) episode with panellists including Ruth Langsford, GK Barry, and Myleene Klass, the topic turned to technology, specifically the rise of AI and its potential to replace “everyone’s jobs”. Coleen shared her fears about what the future might hold.
The conversation was initiated by host Ruth Langsford, who mentioned that the late Michael Parkinson, who passed away in 2023, could be resurrected through AI technology to conduct new celebrity interviews.
While both Ruth and Coleen were keen to see the legendary interviewer back on television, the singer from The Nolans voiced her “terror” at the thought of emerging technologies and their implications for the industry.
She remarked: “AI frightening the life out of me, all very well and we’re all excited, until nobody has a job anymore because AI is doing all of it,” reports the Mirror.
Highlighting existing changes, she added: “It’s already happening in supermarkets where you can now self-serve, I know that’s not AI but they’re still getting rid of staff because we can do it all ourselves.”
Later, expressing even more concern, Coleen warned Ruth: “It’s not your job, wait until four AIs are sitting here.”
As Loose Women recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, with Coleen joining just a year after its inception, the beloved presenter pondered the possibility of retiring from the show after more than two decades.
Coleen has made it clear that she has no intention of leaving Loose Women, a show that has been a “constant” in her life for an impressive 24 years. She expressed her deep connection to the programme in an interview with Woman’s Own: “I’ll be with Loose Women as long as they want me, or as long as it is on air, because I love it and I’d really miss it. It’s kind of been the constant thing in my life for 24 years.”
She further explained the significance of the show to her: “More than anything else, Loose Women has been the constant – so why would I want to give that up?”
Throughout various personal challenges, including divorce, motherhood, and bereavement, Coleen has found solace in her role on the show and in the support of her fellow panellists. She has openly shared these experiences with viewers, creating a bond with the audience through her vulnerability.
In a recent update, Coleen spoke about her sister Linda’s ongoing battle with breast cancer. During a discussion on the show, she revealed Linda’s approach to her diagnosis: “Linda doesn’t want to know how long she’s got because it’s like counting down the days for how long she’d got left.”
This poignant revelation came amidst conversations about Olympian Sir Chris Hoy’s terminal cancer diagnosis, leaving Coleen visibly moved.
Loose Women is on ITV1 weekdays at 12.30pm and on ITVX