Free Girls’s Gloria Hunniford insists she and her co-panellists will maintain their jobs amid ITV’s funds cuts.
In Might, the broadcaster introduced that over 220 jobs could be axed as a part of its mission to save cash, however the legendary TV presenter – who turned an everyday panellist on the programme in 2014 – has stated it’s the lunchtime discuss present’s crew that will likely be dropping their positions.
Gloria completely instructed BANG Showbiz on the 2025 Finest Heroes Awards, sponsored by DFS: “The women are staying. Sadly, it’s the background groups which can be being affected. However we’re not affected.”
In addition to the job cuts, ITV is slashing the on-air time for Free Girls to 30 weeks as a substitute of 52 weeks from January 2026, and Gloria believes the programme’s new scheduling will work.
She stated: “The variety of programmes per 12 months has been decreased, however we’re fortunate that now we have different work to do as properly.
“Not dropping any specific sleepless nights, however now we have all of it lined up. It’ll work.”
In the meantime, Gloria – who turned 85 in April – vows to not retire as a result of she loves working.
The star stated: “I really like working, I used to be taught to work. I’ve been working for many years, and so I need to work.”
Gloria admitted she refused a suggestion from her youngest son Michael Keating – whom she has, in addition to Paul Keating and the late Caron Keating, together with her ex-husband, Don Keating – to decelerate somewhat and do one thing else.
Glora stated: “Generally my youngest son would say, ‘Truthfully, why don’t you simply ease off a bit and do one thing totally different, and sit and look for a few months?’
“And I don’t need to. I like my work. You meet new individuals on a regular basis, you be taught one thing new on a regular basis, and I prefer it.
“Why would I cease?”
Free Girls’s bosses have been reportedly seeking to exchange the programme’s older stars, reminiscent of Gloria, Janet Avenue-Porter, 78, and Linda Robson, 67, with the youthful members of the panel, together with 26 12 months outdated GK Barry – actual title Grace Keeling – Olivia Attwood, 34, and Frankie Bridge, 36, to spice up scores.
However Janet not too long ago claimed there are “no plans” for ITV to axe older Free Girls panellists as a result of ITV values the elder stars.
In July, the broadcaster instructed Bella journal: “There are not any plans to eliminate the older ladies, regardless of what some individuals have stated!
“In reality, the reverse is true. ITV really put out a press release saying we’re the valued members of the present as a result of the viewers completely relate to us.
“I feel Free Girls has change into a programme that is trusted by lots of ladies as a result of we discuss in regards to the points that they’re involved about – whether or not it is feminine well being, home violence or how politicians do not actually perceive working ladies.
“I feel the present has managed to hook up with ladies who would not in any other case have a voice.
“And it is delivered with lots of laughs as a result of we do not take ourselves too significantly.”
