Linda Robson gives dating update on Loose Women after marriage split

Linda Robson has candidly updated viewers on her romantic endeavours following the end of her marriage.

The 67-year-old star, known for her roles in various TV shows, confirmed her split from long-time spouse Mark Dunford in 2023, after a 33-year union.

The couple shares two adult offspring, Louis and Roberta; additionally, Linda is mum to Lauren from a previous relationship.

During the episode of Loose Women which aired Friday (May 23), Linda joined Kaye Adams, Nadia Sawalha, and Jane Moore on the panel, delving into the complexity of modern relationships.

During their chat, Linda expressed her reservations about online dating, humorously noting that men often don't resemble their profile pictures, prompting Kaye to question if Linda had ventured into the world of dating apps, reports  Belfast Live.

With her trademark wit, Linda remarked: "I have only ever had two partners. I'm not a lover of this online dating as well because they could be a serial killer when you go and meet them."

Continuing, she added with characteristic forthrightness: "But also, they never look like what they do in their photograph, do they? They look gorgeous in their photograph and you turn up and it's like 'oh my god, that's not him is it'."

An engaged Kaye probed further: "Have you been on there?" To which Linda disclosed: "What online dating? No, I'm past all that now. I'm not interested in all of that."

She elaborated on her apprehensions regarding dating apps by saying, "I do worry about the online one because you don't know who you're seeing until you get there and then they never look the same anyway."

Reflecting on her separation, Linda previously shared that their paths slowly diverged over time due to different interests.

The 'Birds of a Feather' star opened up to OK! Magazine, confessing: "We never had that much in common. I'm very sociable. Mark never enjoyed that side of things."

She also disclosed that their mutual love for their children was the glue that held them together for years, while commending her former partner as "an amazing dad".

She expressed her feelings, saying: "I've been sad about it, of course I have," but was quick to add, "But we had two lovely children together. But they're all grown up, living their own lives now. Now, it's me and Dolly the dog. [But] I'm in a really good place. Work's good."

After parting ways with Mark, Linda has endured more sorrow with her friend Pauline Quirke's struggle with dementia and the passing of Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan.

In the face of such adversity, Linda finds solace in getting out, stating: "It's been nice to get out of the house," and optimistically concludes: "Hopefully things will get better."

Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 12.30pm