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Loose Women viewers criticise ‘vile’ Chrissy Teigen debate over recent miscarriage

Teigen wrote of the ‘deep pain’ she and her husband, musician John Legend, were experiencing

Roisin O'Connor
Saturday 03 October 2020 13:52 BST
Chrissy Teigen suffers miscarriage of third child

The hosts of Loose Women have been criticised over a discussion about Chrissy Teigen’s recent miscarriage.

In an episode that aired on Thursday 1 October, the panel discussed the writer and former model’s Instagram post that revealed she had lost her baby, who she and husband John Legend had named Jack.

Teigen, 34, wrote of the “deep pain” she and her family were experiencing, and shared a number of photos showing her and Legend in hospital.

On Loose Women, Carol McGiffin claimed she felt ‘uncomfortable’ while reading Teigan’s post.

Her co-star, Nadia Sawalha, had just revealed her own experiences of losing a child, before McGiffin said: “I have to say that I did feel a little bit uncomfortable looking at them because I felt like I was intruding in a way.

“I know that she’s put them up there and I know that she’s had a lot of followers and fans who care deeply for what’s going on with her whole pregnancy up until yesterday but I just felt like this was not something I should be witnessing.”

McGiffin clarified that she did not want to judge Teigen or imply she was wrong for sharing the post, but “I just think that it’s such a private thing. I kind of question if there are some things you shouldn’t have to share on social media”.

Co-host Jane Moore chipped in: “I look and think – she’s going through the most painful of experiences and I’m thinking, is she in the right head space of that moment to make that decision to put it out there?”

A number of viewers criticised the panel on social media, and accused them of “judging” Teigen.

Metro has now reported that Ofcom has received 78 complaints about the show, and is assessing them in order to decide whether or not to investigate.

The Independent has contacted ITV for comment.

One viewer called the discussion “deranged”, while another asked: “Should we really be capitalising on how people grieve?”

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“The way loose women spoke about Chrissy Teigen today was absolutely disgusting,” another said. “Everybody deals with their trauma and grief differently and they shouldn’t be judged for that. Vile.”

Teigen has been widely praised for her honest account of the experience of miscarriage.

Kate Marsh, midwifery manager at baby charity Tommy’s, issued a statement on behalf of the organisation about Teigen’s experience and the way in which people have responded to her decision to share her family’s news.

“While many people have sent Chrissy messages of support, some have criticised her for sharing, which just highlights the taboo and lack of awareness in society,” she said.

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