ITV’s Loose Women has tonight [Tuesday 16 March 2021] been awarded a coveted Royal Television Society Award.

The lunchtime show was awarded Best Daytime Programme 2021, nominated in the illustrious category alongside BBC’s The Bidding Room and Channel 4’s Junior Bake Off.

RTS Awards recognise programmes and performances which have made a material and positive contribution worthy of acclaim by the industry and UK viewers.

Loose Women’s landmark moment during 2020’s Black History Month, in which the show featured its first ever all-Black panel in the show’s 21-year-history, was considered as part of the nomination.

Panelists Charlene White, Judi Love, Brenda Edwards and Kelle Bryan came together to present a show packed full of emotion, fun, friendship and culture. Unique to Loose Women, the presenters’ opinions were peppered with their own deeply personal experiences, which had viewers in tears one moment and laughter the next.

Inspirational campaigner and trailblazer Baroness Doreen Lawrence was a virtual guest and the show built to an emotional musical climax with Brenda’s musical tribute to her hero, Whitney Houston.

Receiving plaudits from columnists, politicians and the audience alike, this episode was not only a ratings hit - beating last year’s audience share and volume with more than a million people tuning in - but it has set the agenda for future representation on UK television.

Charlene White said: “I’m very proud of all of us: the entire Loose presenting team, every single one of our off-screen team, the viewers, and of course those who paved the way. For many viewers it was an emotional moment to see four black women on their screens, a sentiment that was shared amongst all of us that day.”

Judi Love said: “Winning the prestigious RTS Awards is phenomenal, I am overwhelmed with joy, not only is this a moment of history but a moment of acknowledgment. I’m

honoured to share this with such amazing women and team. Today I want to say to many little girls and women, that see themselves in me, you are enough. Thank you to all of the Loose Women producers who continue to work with courage, care and passion to deliver the best daytime TV for all! Thank you RTS!!!!”

Kelle Bryan said: “Winning this award is not just about us, it is for every woman who has ever felt marginalised and under-appreciated. Having our episode in particular being nominated speaks volumes and is only a reflection of the way Loose Women, led by Sally Shelford, has responded to the changing societal views in 2020 and beyond. Thank you Royal Television Society for giving our team recognition for the hard work and dedication we put into entertaining and providing a voice to the 'voice-less' during a pandemic. As a black woman it feels good to be acknowledged and show others that it is possible. Congratulations 'Team Loose'.”

Brenda Edwards said: “It’s such an honour to be nominated for this prestigious RTS award in the first place let alone to win! I’m so thankful to Loose Women for giving me and all the girls a platform to give our opinions on day to day topics that affect our wonderful audience and society as a whole. Sharing our experiences in the hope of helping others is a huge privilege. The show has been running for over 20 years now, may it long continue!”

Loose Women Editor Sally Shelford said: “I'm hugely proud of the Loose Women team - from Managing Director Emma Gormley, to deputy editors Tom Sage and Yiljan Nevzat, director Oliver Gardner, production, and panellists - who are being honoured with this award. At Loose Women we are passionate about tackling both the biggest topics of the day and the wider issues that matter most to our audience in a way that’s relatable, real and from the heart. Our landmark show to celebrate Black History Month did just that. It was a show full of joy, laughter, tears, personal stories, and dancing, from our brilliant panel of Charlene, Brenda, Judi and Kelle. We were all overwhelmed by the response from viewers who got in touch in their hundreds, saying how important it was to feel represented. Importantly, this was not a one-off show and they are now a regular foursome on Loose Women.”

Managing Director, ITV Daytime, Emma Gormley said: 

"I am really proud of Loose Women from all of our brilliant panellists to our super talented teams that work behind the scenes. For this particular show which featured during Black History Month to win this prestigious award is of special significance to us all and we are delighted."