Charlene White takes over as anchor of Loose Women

Small change but the panellists have mugs with their names on again now

According to Ruth Langsford, the programme achieved 2 million viewers for the 24th December special edition, which aired in the UK at 10am.

That’s not bad going at all. Two million people tuning-in to see Janet Street-Porter cooking brussel sprouts.

Maybe the same people who had already sat through her winning Masterchef a couple of nights before.

Andrea McLean’s replacement is to be revealed on today’s show. They’re trailing it as a ‘big reveal’.

I hope it’s Josie Gibson.

It is Charlene White.

I wonder if Charlene will do the same days as Andrea did although that’ll be quite a long working day for her if she does LW as well as ITV News London.

Brilliant decision. She has been a real breath of fresh air during her stints as host.

Yes, she is sensible, intelligent and has freshened it up. And being a journalist, she knows how to interview and debate in a proper manner.

Not being a journalist doesn’t make someone less capable of being an anchor. That’s snobbery at its finest.

Of course there are good presenters who aren't journalists. You know I wasn't saying there aren't.

Her being a journalist and newscaster means she brings strong interviewing and debating skills, which is of benefit to this topical discussion programme right now.

Exactly. It's ridiculous to suggest there aren't benefits in having a journalist moderate debates on current affairs.

Unusually for ITV that's a really good decision. She is a great all round panelist on the show and will be a great anchor. I was worried ITV would pick Colleen. Don't get me wrong I don't mind Colleen at all but when she's been anchor before she always comes across a bit stilted.