Nadia Sawalha, a long-standing panellist on the daytime discussion show Loose Women, has accused ITV of bullying and discriminatory treatment following her removal from the programme earlier this year. The presenter, who has been associated with the show intermittently since its inception in 1999, claims her dismissal is linked to her public support for Palestinian rights.
Sawalha last appeared on Loose Women in April 2026 and was officially removed from the series in July. She alleges that after speaking out on issues relating to Palestine starting in December 2023, she became the target of an escalating campaign involving false and outdated personal allegations. According to Sawalha, ITV presented her with a 20-page dossier of claims but did not allow her to see the contents or respond. She described the situation as deeply distressing and said she was “phased out” of the current series without clear explanation.
The presenter has said she fears that her outspokenness has jeopardised her career, acknowledging the risk she may never work in television again. Despite receiving private support from some colleagues, Sawalha suggests many within the industry are reluctant to back her publicly due to concerns over their own professional standing. She has launched a petition demanding a public apology from ITV and her reinstatement to the show, which has garnered over 60,000 signatures.
Legal representatives acting on Sawalha’s behalf have sent a formal pre-action letter to ITV, alleging discrimination and harassment on the grounds of her protected philosophical beliefs. The European Legal Support Centre, which is involved in the case, highlighted concerns about workplace equality and the treatment of individuals who advocate for Palestinian rights but declined to disclose specific details from the correspondence. A spokesperson for ITV has not made a public comment on the matter.
The controversy intensified in April when defamatory claims were published accusing Sawalha and her husband, Green Party member Mark Adderley, of supporting terrorism or harbouring hatred toward Jewish people. Sawalha vehemently denies these allegations and last month received substantial damages in a libel case linked to the false reports. She recounted receiving a distressing phone call from ITV shortly after the articles were published, during a period when tensions were heightened following recent violent incidents and arrests involving Green Party members.
Sawalha also suggested that some ITV executives were concerned about potential political commentary if she appeared alongside prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. She claims she was removed from a specific episode to prevent her participation in such discussions. Additionally, Sawalha has said her salary was reduced amid the dispute.
Campaign Against Antisemitism questioned whether Sawalha’s outspoken views made her unsuitable for the programme, a notion she has strongly rejected. The broadcaster has not responded to requests for comment regarding the legal claims or any internal decisions about Sawalha’s role.
As the dispute continues, Sawalha remains resolute in speaking out, stating that she refuses to be “bullied into silence” despite the personal and professional challenges she faces.