Former Loose Women host Andrea McLean returned to the ITV show to discuss her life since leaving the programme and opened up on her near-death experience
Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time
13:43, 04 Dec 2025
Andrea McLean came close to death when she collapsed at home and was diagnosed with severe pneumonia, acute kidney injury and sepsis(Image: ITV)
A familiar face from Loose Women graced the ITV daytime show once more, sharing her “second chance at life” following a brush with death.
Andrea McLean, who announced her departure from Loose Women in 2020, returned to the programme on Thursday (December 4) to catch up with her former co-stars and discuss her new chapter in life.
The ex-GMTV weather presenter, 56, has chosen to bid farewell to the UK and embark on a new adventure in Spain with her husband Nick Feeney, following a particularly challenging period.
Andrea, a mother of two, had a near-death experience when she collapsed at home and was subsequently diagnosed with severe pneumonia, acute kidney injury and sepsis.
Joining panelists Charlene White, Coleen Nolan, Katie Piper and Jane Moore via video link from Spain, Andrea shared: “It’s been all the feels to be honest.”, reports Belfast Live.
She added: “Like anything, I’ve been wanting to move back to the sunshine because I grew up in Trinidad in the Caribbean.
The former GTMV weather presenter opened up about her decision to leave the UK for a new life in Spain(Image: ITV)
“Nick and I talked about moving abroad and the timing was never right and then, as you know, I had such a horrible end to last year and start to this year where I was seriously ill, I nearly didn’t have any time left and everything seemed to align.”
She went on to say: “We didn’t pack everything, we sold everything. We travelled really light. Everything we owned was in the back seat of the car, apart from a few Christmas decorations which we left in storage, and we headed off not knowing if it was going to work or not and here we are.”
Andrea revealed that her health struggles led to hair loss, prompting her to abandon her signature brunette extensions in favour of a chic bob.
She previously opened up on Instagram, telling her followers: “I’ve had a bit of a shocker over the past few years – not only health-wise but obviously my business failing, and then it culminated at the start of the year being very unwell.”
Andrea and her husband Nick Feeney have started a new life in Spain(Image: ITV)
She emotionally confessed: “What it made me realise… oh gosh… you only get one shot and you have to seize the day. I don’t know why I crying, it’s so silly, I didn’t mean to do this.”
For those familiar with Andrea, she’s always dreamt of living by the sea under sunny skies. She admitted: “Those of you who know me, I’ve always wanted to live by the sea and in the sun. So that’s what we’re doing. The timing of course is not perfect, timing isn’t always perfect, there’s never a perfect moment.
“But what I realised at the start of this year is you don’t know how many moments you might have left. You have to seize them.”
Andrea appeared on Loose Women for 13 years before quitting in 2020(Image: Unknown)
The TV presenter’s voice wavered as she tearfully explained how her near-death experience provided a new perspective on life.
Andrea continued: “We have this little picture that we’ve always hung above our door and we always try to live by – and so that’s what we’re doing.
“I did not mean to cry. It’s actually good, it’s a good thing. It’s scary, I have no idea how things are going to pan out but I’ve always been brave. And this is what brave looks like.
“So there we are. We’re moving to sunny climes, and I will keep you posted and my big dream for all of this… I want to get a paddleboard, I really want to learn how to paddleboard and do it everyday. And live well.”
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 12.30pm
