Saira Khan quit Loose Women in January and now, she's exclusively spoken to woman&home magazine about why she felt it was time to move on.
She says, ‘I loved my five years on Loose Women. I've shared everything that I wanted to.
'I've talked about cultural differences that I've experienced, my infertility, terrorism.
'Loose Women is like a university – you come, you offload, get your diploma, you find yourself, then move on.'
Speaking of her future plans, she adds, 'I'm busier than ever, I've got TV shows coming up, my business, my Instagram page – something had to give.'
And in terms of who should replace her on the hit lunchtime show, Saira, 50, says 'I'd love a gay or transgender woman to take my seat to share their experiences.'
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Saira often hit headlines during her time on Loose Women for getting into heated debates with her co-stars, something the star thinks is unfair.
She says, ‘It feels to me like men can have opinions, but if women have them, you’re "opinionated". That annoys me.
'If you really look at the way society treats women, especially strong women, we’ve still got a long way to go.'
Saira regularly posts pictures of herself on social media in her underwear as an inspiration to other women to be positive about their bodies.
She reveals, ‘Growing up, I had to conform with cultural rules where women couldn’t wear certain things.
'I’d been brainwashed into believing that any woman who is confident enough to show her body is seen as slutty, but I started to unpick those things.
'I’m not the perfect shape, but I believe that if you can see it, you can be it – that’s why I share my body on Instagram.'
*The March issue of woman&home is on sale on 4 February 2021