Loose Women may be everyone’s favourite female-lead (opens in new tab) talk show, but this Thursday’s episode will now be hosted by none other than an all-male panel. Anchored by JLS singer-turned-presenter Marvin Humes, this special one-off rebrand will coincide with International Men’s Day on 19 November.
The show has had honorary Loose Men such as ITV’s Judge Rinder and Stacey Solomon’s partner Joe Swash on the panel before.
However, this momentous occasion will mark the first time in the show’s 21 year history the panel will be made up entirely of men.
Who will be on the Loose Men panel?
- Marvin Humes, singer and presenter
- Ronan Keating, multi-platinum recording styles
- Roman Kemp, radio and tv presenter
- Iain Stirling, Love Island narrator
Why are they forming a Loose Men panel?
They have all been invited on as part of the Loose Women’s Stand by Your Man campaign. Launched earlier this year, the campaign is part of their wider award-winning mental health (opens in new tab) campaign, Lighten the Load.
Stand by Your Man focuses on male mental health (opens in new tab) and aims to shine a light on how important it is that men ask for help if they are struggling.
Why is this campaign so important?
The Mental Health Foundation’s website suggests that an astonishing one in eight men has a common mental health problem. This can be anything from depression and anxiety to a panic disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder.
They also report that ‘men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women’ and that ‘only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men’.
When it comes to why this might be the case, there is no definitive answer. Though the foundation suggests that it may be traditional gender expectations which put pressure on men.
With men expected to be breadwinners, always in control and strong, it’s often difficult for men to feel able to open up or ask for help.
How do the Loose Men plan to help?
Anchor of this special Loose Men panel Marvin Humes has also remarked upon this.
He said: “I'm looking forward to...raising awareness of the importance of men opening up like women do."
This sentiment is shared by his fellow panelists. Iain Stirling spoke of how he’s looking forward to changing the conversation. He added that, “men typically find it harder to discuss their anxieties, especially with other blokes.”
Roman Kemp attends The BRIT Awards 2020 at The O2 Arena on February 18, 2020 in London, England
And whilst Roman Kemp is undoubtedly excited for some ‘classic Loose laughs’ on Thursday, he too discussed the seriousness of the situation. The radio presenter said he couldn’t wait to “shine a light on the importance of us guys opening up about mental health.”
Loose Women editor Sally Shelford shares their view, talking of how “vital it is that men talk openly about their struggles as we do on Loose Women.”
She concluded that this Thursday’s show is “set to be a show like no other”.
The Loose Men will be hosting this Thursday 19 November from 12:30pm on ITV.
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