Nadia Sawalha, a presenter on the ITV panel show Loose Women, has announced plans to pursue legal action against the broadcaster, alleging that she was removed from the programme due to her public support for Palestine. The 61-year-old television personality claims her departure last month followed what she described as an “escalating campaign” of smears, complaints, and calls for her dismissal.

Sawalha, who was an original panellist on Loose Women when it launched in 1999 and returned to the show in 2013 after a maternity break, stated that she never discussed Palestine directly on the programme. However, she said her public expressions of support for Palestine since December 2023 made her the target of ongoing hostility and ultimately led to her being taken off the show. She also accused ITV of “forever changing the goalposts” by removing and reinstating her intermittently, without clear conditions or guarantees.

Alongside the threat of legal proceedings, Sawalha has launched a petition demanding a public apology from ITV and her reinstatement to the panel. The petition has gathered over 20,000 signatures. In an Instagram video, she expressed disappointment that her appeals to ITV had been unsuccessful, and she framed the issue as part of a broader trend where individuals across various professions—including teachers, healthcare workers, charity staff, and students—have faced repercussions for voicing their views on Palestine. She urged that no one should be “bullied out of their job for following their conscience.”

The statement from Sawalha emphasized her role as an “opinionated woman” on a discussion show and criticized what she characterized as unfair targeting based on her personal beliefs. She called for a clear message to be sent to media organisations and corporations that individuals should not be silenced or punished for expressing their opinions on sensitive international matters.

ITV has been contacted for comment but has not issued a public response regarding Sawalha’s allegations or the proposed legal action.

Sawalha, who is also known for her acting role as Annie Palmer on the British soap opera EastEnders in the late 1990s, has had a long-standing presence on Loose Women, working alongside other original panellists including Kaye Adams, Jane Moore, and Karren Brady. The unfolding situation has drawn considerable attention, highlighting ongoing debates about freedom of expression and workplace repercussions linked to public political views.