Penny Lancaster prefers scaled-back Loose Women
Penny Lancaster said the revamped Loose Women has created more "in-depth, concentrated discussions" amongst her fellow panellists.
Penny Lancaster backs the new Loose Women format with no live studio audience and guests.
ITV scrapped those elements in January when the network's brutal budget cuts came into force, and although its removal sparked some sadness amongst some of the talk show's panellists, Penny thinks the move has caused more meaningful chats.
She explained in the new issue of Bella magazine: "It's more intimate and cohesive.
"The fact that there's no live audience and no guests means that we can have some really in-depth, concentrated discussions with each other on screen rather than being interrupted with different items.
"The conversation flows, and I think this works better. Many viewers like the show for the advice, chat and the dynamic between us.
"Now, it's like sitting around the coffee table with pals and having a chat. The kind of chat you might have with old friends or a bunch of other school mums."
ITV may have axed Loose Women's live studio audience and guests, as well as slashed the on-air time to 30 weeks instead of 52 weeks, but it has not changed the variety of opinion amongst the panellists.
Penny, 55, said: "And long may that continue!
"We disagree at times, but that's the point, isn't it? You don't want to be agreeing with each other all the time. I think the beauty of it is our differing opinions about everything - it makes the show interesting.
"Yes, we have disagreements, but it's healthy. You need to be able to discuss why you disagree with someone, voice your opinion, back up your thoughts and then hear what others have to say.
"We don't fall out over it. We respect that we have different opinions and agree to disagree. It's how life should be."
In September 2025, fellow panellist Katie Piper said the live studio audience being ditched was a mistake because it would be harder for her co-stars to determine what subjects to discuss on Loose Women.
Appearing on an episode of 33-year-old Love Island star Amy Hart's Mum's Club podcast at the time, Katie, 42, said: "To have that audience is amazing because it's all about, 'Oh, what are they enjoying? What are they not enjoying? What's the tone?'
"And I think that's important."
