ITV daytime show Loose Women sparked confusion among its viewers today (January 28) following Lesley Joseph’s appearance on the show.

The star’s appearance on ITV1 came days after Pauline Quirke’s dementia diagnosis. However, the news wasn’t touched on by the panel, prompting confusion from those watching at home.

It was announced earlier this month that award-winning actress Pauline is battling dementia. Her husband Steve shared the news, revealing she was diagnosed back in 2021. He said it was “with a heavy heart” that his wife is taking a break from her professional and commercial duties.

And on Tuesday, Lesley – who was Pauline’s co-star on Birds of a Feather – starred on a special episode of Loose Women.

However, the instalment was hit with backlash from viewers…

Loose Women stars today
The Loose Women didn’t mention Pauline’s diagnosis (Credit: ITV)
Loose Women airs special episode today

Today’s Loose Women honoured ITV’s 70th birthday with a special ‘This is 70’ episode.

The panelists were Janet Street-Porter, 78, Prue Leith, 84, Lesley Joseph, 79, and Gloria Hunniford, 84.

However, fans noted that the show didn’t mention Pauline – despite Loose Women showing a scene from Birds of a Feather at one point in the episode.

This is thought to be because the Loose Women episode was recorded before Pauline’s diagnosis was made public. However, that didn’t stop tweeters from taking to the hashtag…

Pauline Quirke during an interview
Pauline’s dementia diagnosis was made public earlier this month (Credit: Channel 5)
Loose Women slammed for not mentioning Pauline

On X, one person said: “The way to really tell this has been prefilmed – there’s zero chance they’d have Lesley Joseph and not reference Pauline Quirke’s diagnosis, unless this episode was filmed before the news became public.”

The same person later added: “How could they have shown that clip and not referenced Pauline Quirke unless this episode was filmed before Quirke’s news had broken.”

They said yesterday it was filmed before her diagnosis.

A third person replied and seemed to clear things up: “They said yesterday it was filmed before her diagnosis.”

Someone else picked another fault and wrote: “I know it is pre-recorded but the editing is really bad.”

Linda Robson on Pauline’s diagnosis

Lesley Joseph and Pauline on Loose Women

Lesley’s appearance came after Pauline’s good pal and Loose Women star Linda Robson broke her silence on Pauline’s dementia.

On Instagram, alongside two pictures of them together – a throwback photo and another recent selfie – Linda clarified that she’s been aware of her pal’s condition for some time.

She wrote in the caption: “This will be the only time I speak on behalf of my best friend, Pauline. For the past three years, I’ve been in close contact with her husband, Steve, and have spent time with Pauline.”

“It breaks my heart to see her endure such a terrible illness. Out of respect for her family and her privacy, I will not be discussing this matter further. Linda x.”

Lesley, meanwhile, shared a statement via her rep. She said that she has known about Pauline’s illness for a while and was “holding her and her family in her heart”.