In July 2024, the lovely ladies of ITV’s daytime hit show Loose Women discussed losing mobility with advancing age. The show viewers and live studio audience were joined by panellists Linda Robson, Janet Street-Porter, Judi Love, and Coleen Nolan - who has been dealing with her own health issues.
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During the segment of the show, Coleen asked if people start to lose their mobility as they get older. The Loose Women panellists then went on to talk about their respective mobility issues. That is when fans discovered Janet's health issues. Since then, she has revealed she is taking a break from the show to focus on her health. Here's what you should know.
Loose Women star Janet Street-Porter reveals she’s had hip surgery
Linda Robson revealed that she suffers from a ‘dodgy knee’ and is postponing a knee replacement. She explained the incident happened while riding a scooter on her family holiday in Spain, reports the Mirror.
After listening to her story, Janet revealed that she also put off knee surgery for a while and could ‘hardly walk even 100 yards.’ She then took the opportunity to reveal that following a recent MRI scan, she has been told that she needs to have a hip replacement. She said:
Lots of people have had a hip replacement and they are telling me that it's not as bad as the knee and I'll be walking the same day.
Obviously, I’ve got to have the hip replacement but in the meantime, I am wobbling and I should be using a stick but I am guilty of that.
According to The Express, a hip replacement is when a damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial one. Adults of any age can be considered for hip replacement surgery but mostly people between the ages of 60-80 get it done. The modern artificial hip joint that is designed to join the original one lasts for at least 15 years. Many people are able to feel a significant reduction in pain post-surgery.
She is taking a break from the show
Since then, Janet Street-Porter has revealed she is taking an extended break from the daytime show, as she recovers from her hip surgery. The 77-year-old recurring guest, who has been on the show for the past thirteen years, will finally be having the surgery at the end of the week.
On Wednesday 1 October, the episode started with host Christine Lampard telling viewers that it was her colleague's 'last day for a little while', as she is getting ready to undergo the infamous hip replacement surgery on Friday 4 October.
Janet Street-Porter then explained she is scared of going under the knife, a statement which no doubt resonated with many viewers who await surgery. She explained:
I can't think about anything else. As I'm sitting here I'm shaking and my hands are freezing cold. I keep dreaming about it.
The journalist then opened up about what her future will look like after the operation:
I'm just going to go into hospital on Friday, have the operation on Friday afternoon, stay in hospital for a few days and then really, really work at rehab and physio so that I can come back as soon as possible.
Her co-star and friend, Coleen Nolan, revealed she feels sad her friend is going through a tough time with her health. She said:
You always put on this tough persona and nothing bothers you. And then at one point today you said, 'I'm really scared,' and I could have cried my eyes out.
Let's all wish Janet Street-Porter a quick and painless recovery, as we hope to see her back on our screens as soon as possible.
Other stars who have had hip replacement surgery
Janet is not the only star of the entertainment industry to undergo a hip replacement. GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes - who has already moved on from ex-wife Ruth Langsford - has also undergone a ‘life-changing’ hip replacement surgery. According to Hello! Magazine, Eamonn revealed that he waited decades to get the hip surgery and that was the worst decision of his life.
In 2022, he said that postponing it during his 30s and 40s made him lose precious moments of his life. He got the surgery done in his 50s and it was life-changing for him. Apart from him, hipkneesurgeon.co.uk reports that Lionel Richie, Katharine Hepburn, Billy Joel and Sir Andy Murray have also undergone hip replacement surgery.
Lionel Richie revealed in 2014 that he underwent a secret hip replacement. He was battling arthritis at that time and said:
Since the Commodore days, we don’t wear those big boots any more because of the knees and the ankles.
I have had a little knee problem, a little hip problem, but not as bad as all that. Although I did have to have a hip operation three years ago and, honestly, I hardly remember which one it is now because technology is so amazing.
Read more:
Elton John to undergo surgery and will eventually have two new knees
Eamonn Holmes: Friends express worry about the presenter as they say he is ‘struggling’ with divorce
Sources used:
Mirror: Loose Woman’s Janet Street-Porter makes worrying health confession over surgery fears
The Express: Lionel Richie underwent life changing operation after years of wearing big boots on stage
Hello Magazine: Eamonn Holmes says delaying controversial surgery was the 'worst decision he ever made'
hipkneesurgeon.co.uk: Celebrities Who Have Had Hip Surgery
The Daily Star: Loose Women star Janet Street Porter to leave show due to health battle
