Carol McGiffin has revealed that her future on ITV’s Loose Women could be in jeopardy after a ‘difficult contract issue’.
The presenter, 63, originally joined the talk show in 2000 and returned in June 2018 after five years of absence.
But after an “unjust” contract request, the star has been out of the picture for the past two months – indicating that her time on the show could be coming to an end.
Speak against Best magazineshe explained how the “stress” over the contract negotiations had affected her life.
She said: “I haven’t been on the show for two months now because I’ve had to distance myself from it. It caused me too much stress, which was mainly due to a difficult contract issue that I had been dealing with since January.
Tricky: Carol McGiffin has revealed her future on ITV’s Loose Women could be in jeopardy after a ‘difficult contract issue’ (stock image)
“The problem was that for the first time since I went back in 2018, ITV insisted that if I wanted to keep doing the show I would have to sign a contract which was totally unfair and unworkable for me, so I had to say ‘no thanks’ say.
Carol, who is a favorite for her fiery opinions on the show, was quick to highlight her current situation.
She added to the publication, “I’m pretty upset about it, if I’m being honest, because even though it’s my decision, I felt like I was being forced to take it. No one in their right mind would have signed that contract. And I don’t see a way back.’
With the Loose Women tour coming up, Carol has confirmed she will not be taking part.
Carol, enjoying a little hiatus from the series, recently flew to Thailand to celebrate her birthday with husband Mark Cassidy, 40, who is 23 years her junior.
They shared a selection of snaps from their free time and the pair could be seen cozying up on the beach as they toasted her special day with rosé wine.
Carol paired a white sporty bikini top with matching shorts for her day in the sun, unbuttoning them to show off her toned tummy.
She wore her caramel locks in a straight and streamlined style and completed her look with a statement necklace and oversized sunglasses.
Long-term: The host, 63, originally joined the talk show in 2000 and returned in June 2018 after a five-year absence
Time to say goodbye? But after an ‘unjust’ contract request, the star has been out of the picture for the past two months – and has said she currently sees no way back
Mark kept his look casual by pairing a black tee with monochromatic board shorts as he raised a glass to his wife.
Carol captioned the image, saying, “Scenes from a 63rd birthday ❤️ #phuket #birthdaygirl @cassola21 #beach #rosé.”
Below the gallery of images was a photo of the couple tucking into a delicious-looking pizza while sipping a bottle of Whispering Angel.
Carol also shared more stunning selfies by her sun lounger and a shot of the couple with an impressive sunset in the background.
Time away: Enjoying a little hiatus from the series, Carol recently flew to Thailand to celebrate her birthday with husband Mark Cassidy, 40, who is 23 years her junior
Next, the pair threw a shirt over her bikini top and headed to a local bar for more drinks before indulging in a game of pool and some egg fried rice.
While away, the couple celebrated their 15th anniversary together along with their fifth anniversary.
Carol wrote, “Married five years, together 15 years. Still a good time. I love my husband every day.’
Carol, who was once married to presenter Chris Evans, met Mark at an ITV wrap party in 2008 and they got engaged the same year.
And while she’s a food and drink enthusiast, Carol once said, “The reason I’m not fat is because I don’t want to be fat.”
“I’ve always been very conscious of my health and especially what I eat.”