ITV’s Loose Women found itself at the center of controversy once again 

as viewers accused the show of being “very anti-men” following a heated discussion about whether women’s prisons should be closed altogether.

The Wednesday episode left many viewers stunned as panelists debated the divisive topic, prompting an outpouring of reactions on social media.

The Debate That Sparked Outrage

During the episode, panelists Christine Lampard, Mariella Frostrup, Janet Street-Porter, and Sunetra Sarker shared their perspectives on the idea of shutting down women’s prisons.

The discussion was sparked by recent developments, including Princess Kate’s visit to a women’s prison

and previous statements from Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood advocating for alternative sentencing for female offenders.

Janet Street-Porter, known for her outspoken views, voiced her support for the idea, arguing that the majority of women in prison come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

She pointed out that over half of female inmates have experienced domestic abuse, and two-thirds are incarcerated for non-violent offenses.

While acknowledging that some might accuse her of applying double standards, Janet defended her stance by highlighting the underlying societal factors that contribute to female imprisonment.

“I know that I can be accused of having a double standard—if a woman commits the same crime as a man, why am I arguing that women shouldn’t be in prison at all?” she questioned. “But I think we need to look at the kind of women who are in prison. They come from the most disadvantaged sections of society.”

Viewers React Strongly

The debate immediately sparked backlash from Loose Women viewers, with many taking to social media to express their frustration. Some accused the show of undermining accountability, while others claimed it displayed an unfair bias against men.

One viewer tweeted, “Very anti-men today! #LooseWomen.” Another added, “Let’s just absolve everyone of the need for personal responsibility, cracking idea. #LooseWomen.”

Others questioned the logic behind the debate, with one person commenting, “If women can’t do the time, they shouldn’t do the crime. Just like men. #LooseWomen.”

Another frustrated viewer wrote, “Is this discussion actually for real?! #LooseWomen.” Some even imagined the reaction if the roles were reversed, tweeting, “Imagine if the Loose Men were discussing closing men’s prisons! The #LooseWomen would have a meltdown!”

Concerns Over Double Standards

Many viewers seemed particularly concerned with what they saw as an unfair distinction between male and female offenders. Some pointed out that suggesting alternative sentencing for women while maintaining prisons for men sets a problematic precedent.

One viewer questioned Janet Street-Porter’s remarks directly, writing, “So let me get this right—Janet Street-Porter wants women to serve jail time in the community? What would they say if someone suggested this for men? Bonkers. #LooseWomen.”

Others simply dismissed the entire debate, calling it “rubbish” and wondering why such topics were being discussed on a daytime talk show.

More Unexpected Moments on Loose Women

As if the prison debate wasn’t enough to keep audiences talking, another segment of the show also left viewers stunned—this time for a much different reason.

During a discussion about dog-walking etiquette, panelist Ruth Langsford made a surprising confession that took the conversation in an unexpected direction. She revealed that while out for a run, she had experienced a sudden stomach cramp and was forced to relieve herself in a bush.

Describing the moment in detail, Ruth explained, “My top lip started to sweat, and my eyes were darting. I knew I wasn’t going to make it home.” She then admitted she quickly found a hidden area, handled the situation, and rushed away, hoping no one had seen her.

Her candid admission left both her co-stars and viewers shocked, with social media reactions pouring in. One user posted, “I’ll never look at Ruth Langsford in quite the same way again. #LooseWomen.” Another quipped, “So Ruth nearly s** herself. Top  telly. #LooseWomen.”*

The Ongoing Debate

Despite the outrage, the discussion about closing women’s prisons is not a new one. Advocates argue that non-custodial sentences could be more effective for women, particularly those with histories of abuse or non-violent offenses. Critics, however, maintain that justice should be applied equally, regardless of gender.

As Loose Women continues to tackle bold and divisive topics, it seems certain that debates like these will continue to spark passionate reactions from audiences—whether they agree or not.