ITV Loose Women's Sunetra Sarker says she's 'lucky' to get a 'pass' on show

Sunetra Sarker, a beloved Loose Women panellist and celebrated actress known for her work in 'Casualty', has divulged some behind-the-scenes insights into the daytime show's cast dynamics and revealed her initial hesitation to join the panel.

The 51 year old first made an appearance on the ITV programme back in April 2021 as a guest and then joined the ranks as a guest panellist the following month.

Now a familiar face, occasionally gracing the set and even recently taking the helm as host for the first time, Sunetra spoke candidly with the Mirror about life on the show. The discussion came as a part of her promotional trail for her role as a judge at this year's upcoming JustGiving Awards.

Addressing the speculated relationships amidst the panellists, known to have sparked headlines over apparent clashes or solid friendships, Sunetra offered: "If there were any contradictory panels ... I think they've done the show for so long they've learnt the hard way probably and they've now got to the point where it's such a smooth running ship," as reported by the Mirror.

She emphatically expressed: "You haven't got time to have a spat, so to speak. Literally, you've got like 15 minutes to understand we're gonna be doing a promo, and then this, and then get to makeup."

Concluding her point, she added: "I'm not a real spatty kind of person and also my radar for things like this is really bad.", reports OK! Magazine.

Reflecting on the sense of sisterhood among the show's cast, she revealed: "I think once you're inside [there's] that security of these people all looking out for you. I mean, I barely know some of the women because I've not done enough shows with them, I know they would absolutely come forward and stand up for me if I was having any trouble. I just know it. Isn't that weird? ".

Confident in her co-stars' support, she stated: "I feel like I've just got this kinda of unconditional pass of a lot of very senior female ambassadors who would speak up in a room. If somebody slagged me off, I know Judi Love would go 'oi! I'll tell you what Sunetra's like'. I know full well."

Sunetra acknowledged Charlene and Kaye Adams as colleagues who'd support her without hesitation and affirmed: "I can't think of anyone who wouldn't."

She voiced her assurance that even panellists she seldom works with like Gloria Hunniford and Christine Lampard would be there for her.

Conveying her loyalty, she explained: "And I'd do the same for them. If somebody said anything about them, I'd be like 'oi! I'll tell you what Janet Street-Porter's like. She's actually a real laugh'."

Drawing her reflections to a close, the panelist expressed: "Like I said, I've come in at the end of this sort of building of a big machine. I wish I knew some more of the gossip. [But] yeah, so it's fun. It's very ... I feel very lucky to have got a pass to be part of that show."

Sunetra shared how she hesitated before accepting her role on the panel, reflecting on an interview back in 2021 prompting the initial offer she turned down. She shared: "I was like 'no, it's not for me. I'm an actor. I'll have to stay in my lane. Y'know I know what I can do and what I can't do. I'm sure that's not for me.'" However, when presented with the opportunity to join as a one-time guest panellist, she treated it as a "novelty,", equating it to: "It's a bit like being a competition winner."

Speaking glowingly about the show's atmosphere, Sunetra noted the warm panel dynamic, characterising it as "so much fun," and appreciated the established "stalwarts" openness to new conversation", explaining: "I really felt how much they were embracing my take on things."

Although she initially anticipated only a brief appearance, she was taken aback by an extended invitation: "I was like 'no, it was really nice but y'know this is a real fun thing to do [occasionally]'."

She divulged: "[I wasn't keen but] they really wooed me into it, and the women were so friendly. They were asking me to go for a coffee after we'd finished and I kinda really got what it was about.

"I'd never understood it as a viewer. [...] When you're in it, it's a really diverse bunch and you don't know what you're gonna talk about.

"I found it such a breath of fresh air from what my usual work is. [...] I fit it in around my acting any time I can because I do really enjoy it.

"And then I got to anchor it, god knows what they were thinking. Maybe they needed some summer relief with the holidays but they were like 'please come and anchor, give it a go'. I was like 'you are pushing all my comfort zones again.'".