Loose Women’s Charlene White faced criticism from some spectators as she was seen without a poppy.
During Friday’s (November 1) broadcast of the beloved ITV daytime discussion programme, the audience, both at home and in the studio, were greeted by Charlene alongside her fellow presenters Nadia Sawalha, Judi Love, and Frankie Bridge.
As she kicked off the show, Charlene cheerfully announced: “We’ve got that Friday feeling guys. Welcome to your final Loose Women of the week and we definitely have that Friday feeling.”
She also noted: “It’s the first of November, which means we are heading a lot closer to Christmas.” But moments into the episode, sharp viewers spotted that Charlene was the only one on the panel not sporting a poppy, reports the Mirror.
Viewers swiftly took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice their opinions. One viewer questioned: “Where’s your poppy Charlene? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? #LooseWomen.”
Another remarked: “So what acceptable reason has Charlene got to NOT wear a poppy like most people would.” Yet another enquired: “Anyone know why Charlene isn’t wearing a poppy? “.
In the midst of the uproar, a defending tweet emerged: “The poppy police are pathetic, bet there the same people who usually harp on about free speech yet they can’t handle someone not wearing a poppy #LooseWomen.”
Charlene has previously opened up about why she opts out of wearing a poppy, confessing she feels ‘uncomfortable’ promoting one charity over another.
She also revealed that the racist and sexist abuse she faces made the decision even tougher. The TV presenter elaborated: “I support and am patron of a number of charities, and due to impartiality rules, I am not allowed to visually support them all whilst presenting news programmes. That includes things like a red ribbon for World Aids Day, or a purple band for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.”
“Both these and many more charities do great things in the UK, but I’m not allowed to give them exposure on screen. So I feel uncomfortable supporting just one charity above all others, namely The Royal British Legion, but I fully support my colleagues who do choose to wear the poppy on screen.”
However, she added that she continues to wear a poppy when she’s not on screen. “In my private life, it’s very different. I wear a poppy on Armistice Day – in fact I wear one that my friend Jen’s mum knitted for me a few years ago, she explained. “And I proudly have one of the ceramic poppies from the Tower Of London on my mantelpiece.
“So please don’t think that I don’t support the work that our service personnel do, or that I don’t understand the sacrifices made by servicemen and women 100 years ago. I do.”
Charlene mentioned that her dad and uncle were part of the armed forces and made it clear that she believes it’s crucial to fight for freedom of speech. She expressed: “I come from a Forces family. My dad served in the RAF, and my uncle served in the Army. When I first decided not to wear the poppy on screen, I spoke to both of them to make sure they were okay with it. And they both support my decision.”
Charlene further added: “It is always important to remember what my family, your family, and millions of people over many generations have fought for: the right to choose, and the right of freedom of speech and expression.”
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 12.30pm