Loose Women got off to an awkward start on Friday, after host Kaye Adams was forced to ask ‘are we fighting already?’ as co-star Frankie Bridge clashed with another panelist

The atmosphere on Loose Women became a tad uncomfortable just moments into Friday’s programme when Kaye Adams questioned the apparent disharmony among her fellow panellists.

As the show commenced, 61-year-old Kaye queried: “What, are we fighting already girls? ” This led Frankie Bridge to accuse Linda Robson, pointing out: “She’s doing things behind my back!” sparking an “ooh” from the studio audience.

Linda, aged 66, was quick to deflect, suggesting a show producer was the instigator, retorting, “Mattie told me to pull faces behind her back, thanks Mattie! ” Kaye smoothly transitioned to welcoming viewers, announcing: “Welcome to Loose Women everyone! It’s Friday!”

The episode progressed with guests including comedian Leigh Francis, better known as Keith Lemon, who discussed his new autobiography, while harmony seemed to be restored among the panel.

Loose Women turned awkward just minutes into Friday’s show as Kaye Adams asked why her co-stars were fighting (Image: ITV)

This incident follows Denise Welch’s sharp remarks about her co-stars after a heated exchange with Stacey Solomon during a debate on the show in June. Despite downplaying feud rumours, Denise alluded to underlying strains during an appearance on Olivia Attwood’s podcast ‘So Wrong It’s Right’, stating, “I’m always happy to have new blood on (Loose Women) because we do get bored of each other,” reports the Mirror.

Denise Welch has expressed her scepticism about younger panellists on the show, saying: “But I’ve always been sceptical when younger people come in because, sometimes, they may have a great life story but they are either not prepared to talk about it yet, or are too worried about what the public are going to say.”

Kaye, 61, said: “What, are we fighting already girls?” to which co-star Frankie Bridge replied pointing at Linda Robson (Image: ITV)
She then revealed some of the off-camera drama, adding: “So they’ll be in a meeting saying ‘I’m not going to talk about that,’ and it’s kind of like, ‘what are you gonna talk about then?'”

Stacey, who joined the panel in 2016, is among the younger members alongside Katie Piper, Frankie Bridge, Olivia Attwood, and GK Barry. Denise’s remarks follow a tense on-air moment with Stacey earlier this year.

In a June debate, Stacey, 35, argued in favour of flexible home working post-pandemic, which led to a clash with Denise who felt the country was “grinding to a halt” due to absent staff.

Stacey countered: “They don’t disappear because they’re working from home,” prompting Denise to question, “But, where are they Stace?”

The mother of five elaborated that the pandemic showed many in the UK workforce could perform “adequate if not better job” from their homes. Denise, however, wasn’t convinced, leaving viewers feeling the strain of the disagreement.

Denise opened up the previous month about the ‘fallout’, saying it had been exaggerated. “We disagreed on something, it was about young people and work ethic and since Covid, have Gen-Z become a bit more lazy and entitled, it was one of those kind of Loose Women things,” she explained.

Denise Welch had a heated debate with Stacey Solomon (Image: ITV screengrab)
“Stacey said something about nurses and the NHS which provoked a great big reaction, and I actually agreed with her,” Denise continued.

Moreover, Denise noted that over her 25 years on the programme, she’s only butted heads with her co-hosts a few times, yet alluded to some tension amongst them.

“In 25 years, there have obviously been a couple of people who aren’t as close as some of the others. Like in any show, there are some people you prefer, there are some panels I prefer to others. Just because of the dynamics of personalities,” she shared enigmatically during an American podcast earlier this year.