Loose Women is about to get its first transgender panellist

Newsreader India Willoughby made history by becoming Britain’s first openly trans television newsreader back in October. Now, she’s set to make history again by becoming the first openly transgender woman to host on an all-female chat show when she joins Loose Women as a guest panelist today.

50-year-old India had worked for ITV’s Border News for a decade, but left the broadcaster in 2010 when she began transitioning. On October 3 she returned to ITV to present local news programme ITV Tyne Tees.

A long time fan of the show, India spoke of her excitement to join as a panellist: “I just can’t believe I’m going to be a part of it,” she said.

“Hopefully my history will bring something new to the mix. All the Loose Women have overcome some sort of adversity, they all carry battle scars and that’s what makes them interesting people.”

She added: “Mine just happened to my body throughout the journey to become my true self. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world right now and I can’t wait to get live and loose.”

The news comes a year after the Loose Women caused controversy with an “uneducated” and “unacceptable” discussion about transgender issues which saw panelist Nadia Sawalha describe it as the new ‘in’ thing with adolescents, like self-harm and bulimia.

India will join panelists Ruth Langsford, Martine McCutcheon and Janet Street Porter on today to coincide with Transgender Awareness Week.

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