Loose Women will once again become Loose Men for the day to raise awareness for male mental health.
Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week, an all-male all-star panel will takeover the show as part of Loose Women’s Stand By Your Men mental health campaign which, alongside ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign, urges men to open up and seek help when needed.
Anchor Richard Madeley and panellists Jordan Banjo, Robert Rinder and Martin Kemp will take over the iconic desk to kick off lunchtime Thursday, 13 May at 12:30PM on ITV and ITV Hub.
As well as discussing mental health, the tools they use and their own personal experiences, the foursome will be delving into hot topics and taboo talking points in true Loose style.
Topics discussed include opening up about mental health, male body confidence, whether flirting is cheating and more.
Asked, as a popstar, if he felt under the microscope about the way he looked, Martin Kemp says: “When I was 17 I was in the band, so I was always aware of how I looked. But I think nowadays we are so much more health conscious and body aware than we ever have been.”
On the same pressures as part of dance group Diversity, Jordan Banjo shares: “I’ve always been quite a big dude. Compare me to the other boys, all they’ve got to do is sneeze and they get an ab. I looked at a slice of cake and it was like I gained a stone.
“At first it was difficult, you’re part of the biggest dance group in the country, you’re young and to be blunt I felt like a bit of a fraud.”
Discussing the effect of social media on body confidence, Robert Rinder reveals: “There’s something we need to talk about as well which is resilience and giving people who comment on your body image your absolute aggressively undivided indifference.. bullying is always about the bully and I think we need to talk about that.”
Richard Madeley, who turns 65 on the day of the show, adds: “Even old men like me come under a lot of pressure to explain how we look.” And he talks about the backlash he received when people thought he’d dyed his hair, as well as trending online after a fake tan mishap on Good Morning Britain: “It was very funny. But the point is, it got column inches over accidental fake tan!”
Later, the foursome discuss whether flirting is cheating, with Richard saying “the line for me and Judy was written in absolute concrete” and Robert saying: “You should be able to delight in one another and feel safe enough to express that.”
During the show each man picks one word they think men should be more open about, discussing some difficult topics close to their hearts, including tough childhood memories of bullying, as well as exploring recent loss.
Plus, the men are put to the test with some hot new fashion trends, as well as a game of guess the gizmo.
Loose Men airs Thursday, 13 May at 12:30PM on ITV and ITV Hub
