Loose Women's Martine McCutcheon Explains Why She Turned Down Bikini Photo-Shoot

She was among the absentees in the #MyBodyMyStory pics.

‘Loose Women’ panellist Martine McCutcheon has revealed why she’s absent from the show’s recent swimwear photo-shoot.

Earlier this week, the daytime show launched its #MyBodyMyStory campaign, encouraging women to feel more comfortable and empowered in their own skin, with a set of unairbrushed photos showing nine members of the presenting team in swimsuits.

However, while the likes of Nadia Sawalha, Janet Street-Porter and Stacey Solomon all took part in the photo-shoot, Martine has now revealed she decided not to take part, admitting that she “wasn’t brave enough” to strip off on camera.

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The 'Loose Women' team strip off to promote body confidence
ITV Loose Women/Bryan Adams

Commenting on the photo on Instagram, she wrote (via The Sun) that her co-presenters were “the beautiful and the brave”, adding: “Love you all darlings… I admit it - I wasn’t brave enough to do it!! Well done ladies!!”

Earlier this week, Andrea McLean revealed that all of the ‘Loose Women’ panel were invited to take part in the campaign, with Linda Robson suggesting that Ruth Langsford’s absence was due to scheduling conflicts with ‘This Morning’.

Lisa Riley, Kaye Adams and Penny Lancaster were also among the ‘Loose Women’ panellists not included in the photo-shoot.

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Martine McCutcheon
Ken McKay/ITV/Rex/Shutterstock

Since the pictures were revealed, Coleen Nolan has discussed how her sister Linda’s incurable cancer diagnosis motivated her to take part, while Saira Khan has slammed critics who have suggested that posing in a bikini conflicts with her Muslim faith.

She fumed on Instagram: “I feel so sorry for people like this who are so threatened by a woman’s body - this is not a “sexual” campaign - it’s one to empower women, for us to feel good about ourselves and our imperfections.

“It’s my choice to do this and if Allah doesn’t like it- let him deal with me - WTF does it have to do with anyone else?”

‘Loose Women’ airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV. 

'Loose Women': Where Are They Now?
Jane McDonald(01 of16)
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In what was quite an unexpected move, former cruise ship singer Jane took over as Grizabella in a UK touring production of 'Cats'. The role was previously held by Pussycat Dolls singer, Nicole Scherzinger.

In 2017, she returned to TV with her own Channel 5 series called 'Cruising With Jane McDonald'. She continues to tour the country as a singer, playing numerous concert halls and holiday villages.
(credit:Twitter/Jane McDonald)
Carol McGiffin(02 of16)
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Having been on the panel for 10 years before quitting in 2013, she was one of the longest-serving 'Loose Women' of all time.

After revealing that she was recovering from breast cancer on 2015, Carol has made several appearances on UK television, most notably on 'Big Brother's Bit On The Side'.

She has also admitted she wouldn't mind returning to the show - but only if they got rid of some of the current line-up first. Ouch
(credit:Keith Hewitt via Getty Images)
Denise Welch(03 of16)
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Since leaving the world of presenting behind when she walked out of 'Loose Women' in 2013, Denise has returned to her first love of acting, starring in a theatre production of 'Steel Magnolias', as well as two series of BBC Two sitcom, 'Boy Meets Girl'.

She also had a two-episode stint as Kyle Slater's mum Alison in 'EastEnders' in 2016.
(credit:BBC)
Lisa Maxwell(04 of16)
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Lisa quit 'Loose Women' shortly after Carol McGiffin and Denise Welch, claiming it was "not the same show" as when she first joined.

She had a brief story arc in 'EastEnders' as the lover of David Wicks in 2013, and has since joined the cast of 'Hollyoaks' as Grace Black's mother, Tracey.

In 2016, she also played Judy Garland in the UK tour of 'End of the Rainbow'.
(credit:BBC)
Lesley Garrett(05 of16)
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Opera singer Lesley released her 16th album, 'Centre Stage' in 2015, which saw her covering a host of songs from musical theatre. Sadly, where was not a duet of 'I Know Him So Well' with Jane McDonald. (credit:John Snelling via Getty Images)
Beverley Callard(06 of16)
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During her break from 'Coronation Street' days, 'Loose Women' viewers might remember seeing Beverley on the panel for a time, during which she also married her husband, Jon McEwan.Now, of course, Beverley is back where she belongs, behind the bar of the Rover's Return, as Liz McDonald. (credit:ITV)
Carol Vorderman(07 of16)
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It's safe to say Carol Vorderman isn't exactly sitting round with her feet up since departing from 'Loose Women' in 2014. In fact, Vorders is away from our screens an increasing amount at the moment, while she prepares to fly solo around the world with her plane, Mildred, after acquiring her pilot's license.

Although, fans were delighted and shocked in equal measure when Carol signed up for 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' in 2016, eventually finishing eighth.
(credit:Twitter/Carol Vorderman)
Kate Thornton(08 of16)
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Kate told The Sun that she had enrolled in a counselling course after being fired from 'Loose Women' in 2011, due to the fact her TV career had "hit the curb". That said, she has hosted the 'Strictly Come Dancing' live tour, and even had her own show on BBC Radio 2, titled 'Paper Cuts'.

The former 'X Factor' host took a rather unexpected move in 2016, when she launched cashback site TBSeen, with the help of pals including Myleene Klass, Amanda Byram, Denise Van Outen, Lisa Faulkner and Tamzin Outhwaite,
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Sally Lindsay(09 of16)
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Like Denise, former 'Corrie' actress Sally has returned to acting since leaving 'Loose Women'. She has a leading part in the Sky series, 'Mount Pleasant', and took on a meatier role in the BBC drama, 'Ordinary Lies' in 2015, opposite Jason Manford, Jo Joyner and Michelle Keegan. (credit:BBC)
Cilla Black(10 of16)
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After a career in the entertainment industry spanning six decades, Cilla sadly died in August 2015, after suffering a fall while on holiday at her home in Spain.The week of her funeral, her greatest hits collection 'The Very Best Of Cilla Black' topped the UK album chart. (credit:Paul Hampartsoumian/REX)
Sarah Milican(11 of16)
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In her post-'Loose' career, Sarah has gone on to become one of the UK's leading and most loved stand-up comedians, even landing her own comedy series, 'The Sarah Millican Television Programme'. In 2015, she married her fellow stand-up, Gary Delaney. (credit:Brian J Ritchie/Hotsauce/REX)
Myleene Klass(12 of16)
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She may no longer be living the 'Loose' life, but just try and keep Myleene away from telly. In 2015 alone she's appeared on Dictionary Corner on 'Countdown' and hosted 'BBQ Champ', and filmed a new documentary, 'Singing In The Rainforest', which saw her making music with indigenous tribespeople.

Myleene continues to work as a designer for Littlewoods, releasing her own line of lingerie.
(credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Lynda Bellingham(13 of16)
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The great Lynda Bellingham sadly died in 2014, after a battle with colon cancer, but spent her last months trying to raise awareness of the disease, including one memorable final appearance on 'Loose Women', which had all of us in floods of tears. (credit:Rex/ITV)
Jackie Brambles(14 of16)
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Since leaving 'Loose Women' in 2009, Jackie has moved behind the cameras, launching her own digital media business called Broadstance Digital Media Production. (credit:Ferdaus Shamim via Getty Images)
Trish Adudu(15 of16)
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Not one of the first women who springs to mind when we think of 'Loose Women', but Trish was one of the show's original panellists, before leaving the show in 2002. She occasionally presents regional news, and has hosted segments on 'Inside Out' and 'The One Show'. Trish also teaches media studies to teenagers at a school in Coventry. (credit:Rex/ITV)
Karren Brady(16 of16)
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Yep, let it never be forgotten that the 'Apprentice' assistant and Conservative party life peer, Baroness Brady, was also once a 'Loose Women' presenter. (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)