Ruth Langsford made a significant announcement to Loose Women viewers as the show wrapped up on Tuesday (25 March).
Hosting the episode, Ruth was accompanied by panelists Janet Street-Porter, Coleen Nolan, and Mariella Frostrup.
Ruth shared an important update with the audience after an interview with EastEnders actor James Bye and a chat about George Clooney's decision to step back from romantic comedies.
She announced that Loose Women would not be broadcast on Wednesday, 26 March, due to ITV's schedule changes for the government's Spring Statement.
Addressing the audience, she said: "We're not here tomorrow either because of the Spring Statement. I'm sure you're all looking forward to that. We are going to be back on Thursday though, with Adolescence actor Mark Stanley. I hope you can join us then!"
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, is set to present the 2025 Spring Statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday, following the Prime Minister's Questions, reports the Mirror.
An ITV News Special titled The Chancellor's State will air on Wednesday from 12.15pm to 1.45pm, which means Loose Women won't be able to occupy its regular 12.30pm timeslot on ITV's main channel.
Nevertheless, Ruth confirmed that Loose Women will return to television on Thursday, 27 March, at 12.30pm as usual.
Earlier in the same episode, Janet Street-Porter recounted her less-than-ideal holiday experience in Australia, marred by poor weather conditions.
As Ruth greeted the audience, she said: "Of course, welcome back Janet. So, Janet, there I was sunning myself in the Caribbean for my birthday and I'm thinking you're sunning yourself in Australia, but no."
With a hint of irritation, Janet responded: "As I arrived in Australia, Typhoon Andrew was offshore, and for the next ten days, I lived in a state of high alert. I was given a walkie-talkie, I had to go and bulk buy water, and we were trapped in our house. The road to our house we rented was flooded. It was scary stuff, but you know me. Then, on the very last day of my holiday, the sun came out."
Despite the ordeal, she managed to inject some humour into her tale, sharing a clip where she donned a shower cap to wish her colleague Coleen a happy birthday, captured during her recent trip to Australia.
Loose Women airs on weekdays on ITV1 from 12.30pm
