Loose Women prepare for 25 hours of chat

The ‘talkathon’ is part of the Britain Get Talking campaign…

With an estimated one in four people experiencing a mental health problem every year, it’s more important than ever to get people talking and so, tomorrow ITV’s gossip slot Loose Women will kick off its very first 25-hour Talkathon in support of ITV and STV’s Britain Get Talking campaign.

In the show’s 25th year, the panellists will do what they do best during the history-making challenge and use the positive power of talking to tackle taboos around mental health and raise awareness and vital funds, for Mind, YoungMinds and Scottish Action for Mental Health helplines and services.

As the ladies prepare to continue the conversation around the clock, a new post on Loose Women’s social media pages shows how Charlene White, Coleen Nolan, Frankie Bridge, Janet Street-Porter, Judi Love, Katie Piper, Kaye Adams, Kelle Bryan, Linda Robson, Nadia Sawalha, Myleene Klass and Sue Cleaver are prepping their vocal cords ahead of the Talkathon commencing tomorrow.

Also keeping viewers company throughout the 25 hours will be: Ayda Field Williams, Brenda Edwards, Christine Lampard, Dame Kelly Holmes, Gloria Hunniford, Mariella Frostrup, Olivia Attwood Dack, Ruth Langsford and Stacey Solomon. With one sleep to go, during today’s lunchtime edition of Loose Women, Frankie Bridge said: “I’m so excited, I just think it’s such a good idea!”.

Kaye Adams added, “We’re going to be talking about all sorts of things over 25 hours but the reason that we’re doing it is, we’re trying to encourage people to talk because we know that in the UK, we’re facing a mental health crisis… Across the 25 hours, we’re going to be shining a light on the issue and trying to raise vital funds for Britain Get Talking charity partners and their helpline services.”

Nadia and Denise Welch have also fronted two emotive short-films, in which viewers hear from two individuals who turned to the life-saving helplines for support and explain why it’s so important that every call can be answered.

“For many people who are struggling in silence, the decision to call a helpline can be the turning point they need but ITV and STV’s Britain Get Talking charities are facing more pressure than ever. Anyone that would like to share their support now, or during the Talkathon, can text THIRTY, TWENTY or TEN to 70870 to give £30, £20 or £10*.” – IYB

As well as supporting the ground-breaking work of the Britain Get Talking initiative with powerful conversations around mental health issues, the Talkathon will also feature some classic Loose Women topics, from menopause to managing a breakup and parenting to pets, as well as continuing to have some trademark Loose Women laughs throughout.

The panels will also be joined by some very special showbiz guests including Russell Watson, The Chase’s Mark Labbett, Loose Men Shaun Wallace and Jeff Brazier and Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, plus a number of experts who will help viewers with their nighttime skincare routine in real-time, host an insomnia clinic in the nighttime hours and not forgetting Loose Women’s Coleen and Mariella sharing their agony aunt advice, as well as Judi’s love clinic.

Loose Women’s history-making 25 hour Talkathon starts live on Loose Women on Thursday 5th December, from 12.30pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player and will then stream exclusively on ITVX and STV Player.