Andrea McLean breaks down in tears as she reveals she's leaving Loose Women

Monday's (30th November) episode of Loose Women ended in tears as popular panellist Andrea McLean announced she would be leaving the show after an amazing 13 years.

As Andrea's co-stars Linda Robson, Brenda Edwards and Saira Khan looked back on what they've learnt from the horrid year that has been 2020, Andrea opened up about having a mental breakdown in 2019, something which she has previously spoken about on the show and in her self-help book, 'This Girl Is on Fire'.

The 51-year-old then got emotional as she revealed she's decided to take a risk in her career and leave the popular daytime show.

She said, "You get one life, are you living it the way that you want? Are you doing everything you want to do? Are you being brave? Are you taking chances? And I realised - no.

Although Andrea didn't exactly reveal what her next career path would involve, she went on to say, “I didn’t think I was going to cry. I’ve told you ladies just before we came on air. I’m going to be leaving Loose Women because I want to be brave...all the incredible feedback that I had from my book and the support I was able to give them, I want to bring it to life. It was a really, really big decision to jump and see if I fall or if I fly.

"And I just thought, I will never know unless I try, so I am saying goodbye to Loose Women.”

Fans of the show were quick to express their sadness at Andrea's shock departure, with many wishing her the best of luck in her new venture.

One user wrote, 'Oh Andrea, you will be missed. Good luck in all that you do.' (sic)

Another added, 'She will smash it, good luck hun everyone loves your honesty and compassion such a lovely lady xxxx', with a third adding, 'Noooo.... your the reason I watch!!! Only calm sensible one on there 😂Please re think😢'. (sic)

Speaking about the support ITV have given her, Andrea said on air, “I have been anchoring Loose Women for 13 years now and I have been part of ITV daytime for 23 and actually the team have been so wonderful saying ‘Can we help, can we give you less days so you can focus on your business?’ I am not saying goodbye to telly either… You just never know unless you try, I just want to put myself out there, see what the universe has in store, help as many women as I possibly can in whatever that means but for now it means with my website and all the love and effort that I am putting into that, that will be my focus.”

Although it hasn't yet been confirmed when Andrea will leave the show, her co-stars were quick to reveal she won't be going anywhere without a proper send off.

Check out the biggest reality TV transformations below:

Loose Women continues everyday on ITV.

Now read:

Alison Hammond asks fans for support as she's diagnosed as prediabetic

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford's This Morning replacements revealed

Holly Willoughby's career: From children's TV host to daytime TV queen

How to listen to MFR:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into MFR on FM and DAB across the North of Scotland, online, on our app, or say ‘Play MFR’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.

• Loose Women