Loose Women stars are embroiled in a row over pay behind the scenes of the ITV chat show – and some of the show’s panellists have even threatened to leave the programme if things aren’t fixed

Loose Women stars are embroiled in a pay row behind the scenes, with some reportedly threatening to quit.

Some presenters and bosses at ITV have been in talks regarding their tax situations for several weeks, sources say.

The Mirror can reveal three big show names have told bosses they will walk away if the situation is not fixed.

It comes as ITV has been hit by changes by HMRC to tax legislation.

It is now up to ITV to decide whether a role is employed or self-employed for tax purposes from April 2021.

It is understood some panellists on the daytime show work freelance, declaring themselves self-employed.

Loose Women stars are embroiled in a pay row behind the scenes

( Image:Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
But now some have been told to go on a PAYE contract – meaning that instead of corporation tax at 19%, they will have to pay 40% on earnings between £50,271 and £150,000, plus National Insurance.

A source behind the scenes said: “They have all been self-employed for decades. Their accountants are saying no, they are self-employed… and are not going to go on PAYE.”

Our mole added: “They’re so strict about it and we’re talking about the big players.”

ITV sources say the broadcaster has communicated the change to all those concerned across the channel and that assessments are done on a “case-by-case basis”.

A change over contracts has sparked an fallout behind the scenes

( Image:Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Presenter Eamonn Holmes is currently challenging a tribunal ruling that he should have been treated as an ITV employee for tax reasons when he hosted This Morning.

He said in 2018 that HMRC “wanted 10 years of backdated National Insurance” as they said his former jobs “were staff jobs rather than self-employed”.

And he claimed the row was making him ill.

He said: “In 2018, they [HMRC] came knocking at my door, claiming my former jobs at Sky News, GMTV, Channel 5 and This Morning were staff jobs rather than self-employed. They wanted 10 years’ backdated National Insurance.

Eamonn Holmes is challenging a tribunal ruling that he should have been treated as an ITV employee for tax reasons from his time on This Morning

( Image:Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

“To go back a decade to try and get the money that you’ve already spent?

“I don’t care how much you earn, you spend it. It was gone.” Other telly stars such as Gary Lineker and Adrian Chiles have previously been told by the taxman to go on PAYE.

Panellists on hit talk show Loose Women include Kaye Adams, Linda Robson, Judi Love, Denise Welch, Janet Street-Porter and Coleen Nolan.

An ITV spokeswoman said: “ITV complies with HMRC legislation when assessing the tax status of individuals. ITV will not comment on or disclose any individual’s specific circumstances.”

The ongoing dispute over pay among the Loose Women stars at ITV continues to escalate behind the scenes of the popular chat show.

According to insider sources, tensions have been running high as some of the show’s key personalities have threatened to walk away if the pay issue is not resolved promptly.

The crux of the matter lies in changes to tax legislation by HMRC, which have forced ITV to reevaluate the employment status of some of its presenters.

Previously considered self-employed and thus subject to corporation tax at 19%, certain panellists have now been informed that they must switch to a PAYE contract.

This would entail a higher tax rate of 40% on earnings between £50,271 and £150,000, in addition to National Insurance contributions.

The affected presenters, who have identified as self-employed for years, are reportedly unwilling to acquiesce to the new terms.

This stand-off has put them at odds with the network, as both parties seek to resolve the issue to their satisfaction.

The situation has been further complicated by the high-profile legal battle of Eamonn Holmes, who contests HMRC’s classification of his past roles as staff positions rather than freelance work.

While ITV maintains that it adheres to HMRC guidelines in determining individual tax statuses, the matter remains unresolved as negotiations continue.

The uncertainty has cast a shadow over the future of Loose Women and raised questions about the financial stability of its key personalities.
As the industry grapples with evolving tax regulations and their implications for freelance workers, the behind-the-scenes drama at ITV serves as a cautionary tale for all those in the entertainment sector.

The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching consequences for the way in which broadcasters engage with their talent and the financial security of those in front of the camera.

In the midst of this controversy, one thing remains certain – the need for transparency, fairness, and open communication between employers and employees.

As the Loose Women stars navigate this challenging terrain, their plight serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in the modern media landscape.