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Brenda Edwards has revealed what things are really like behind the scenes on Loose Women<\/p>\nBrenda Edwards has revealed what things are really like behind the scenes on Loose Women, shared the dynamics between the famous ITV panel and an insight into their “wild” nights out<\/p>\n
07:00, 12 Oct 2025Updated 07:19, 12 Oct 2025<\/p>\n
Brenda Edwards has revealed what things are really like behind the scenes on Loose Women<\/p>\n
Brenda Edwards <\/a>is now a regular Loose Women panellist but, as she tells new in an exclusive chat with OK!<\/a>, it\u2019s a far cry from where it all began. Rising to fame on The X Factor<\/a> in 2005, Brenda, 56, looks back on the time with fond memories.<\/p>\n \u201cThe X Factor definitely put me on the map and gave me a platform,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019d been auditioning for years and never got anywhere. I\u2019ve been singing for as long as I can remember, really. Be it in a church, a theatre or on stage, I\u2019ve always just wanted to sing, and I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to make a career out of it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt might sound cheesy, but, without The X Factor, I would not be doing what I\u2019m doing today.\u201d Today, Brenda is part of ITV<\/a>\u2019s Loose Women<\/a> panel alongside Coleen Nolan<\/a>, Ruth Langsford and Christine Lampard.<\/p>\n \u201cI love it, love it!\u201d she says. \u201cThe women are all different personalities, which I think is what makes the show so unique, you know?<\/p>\n \u201cThere isn\u2019t another show like it in the UK and I don\u2019t think there ever will be, to be honest. They all come together in the fun times and in the sad times, they\u2019re really supportive. I love being part of such an incredible group.\u201d<\/p>\n Brenda doesn\u2019t shy away from hard-hitting topics, from menopause battles and infidelity, to politics and racism. And while she may not always agree with co-stars\u2019 opinions on-screen \u2013 and things can get fiery \u2013 they don\u2019t take it personally.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a debate show and if we all had the same opinion, it would be very boring. A lot of people in this world<\/a> are always arguing about religion, or politics, or money but, to me, everyone should just chill out a bit and realise people are all entitled to their own opinions, as long as no harm is done.\u201d<\/p>\n As for their relationships off-screen, and despite tales of backstage feuds, Brenda says they\u2019re all \u201cgood friends\u201d and share a unique bond. So are there any raucous Loose Women nights out, we wonder? \u201cOh, Loose Women nights out are a bit treacherous. Dangerous!\u201d Brenda laughs.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of us got together at the TV Baftas earlier this year, and that\u2026 was a long night! They know how to party. The thing is, we don\u2019t go out a lot together so when we do, we make the most of it. It\u2019s just a nice, big, happy family offstage.\u201d<\/p>\n The Loose Women panellists have been a real source of support for Brenda over recent years, particularly following the tragic death of her son, Jamal Edwards<\/a>, who passed away in 2022 at the age of just 31 from a cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n Quality time \u2013 especially with her 31-year-old daughter Tanisha \u2013 isn\u2019t something Brenda takes lightly, as she tells us about the importance of life and how short it can be.<\/p>\n Her philosophical outlook stems from her past health experiences and her battle with cancer, she says. After being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2015, Brenda underwent chemotherapy, a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, and is now cancer-free. And, although scary, her experience changed her for the better.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really makes you appreciate life,\u201d she says. \u201cIt makes you want to grab each moment when you can in whatever way you can. You realise that life isn\u2019t promised to you. I think I\u2019ve also become a bit more confident since facing cancer, to talk about things that have happened to me and to be open,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n As a result, Brenda is now very vigilant about her body and health. \u201cI\u2019m always on top of things to do with my health now, since the diagnosis. If something doesn\u2019t feel right, I\u2019m on top of it. For many people, it can be nerve-wracking when something is wrong and you\u2019re worried about whether there\u2019s a problem, but I see it the other way around. What if it\u2019s nothing? It\u2019s better to have peace of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n This outlook is why Brenda has teamed up with Specsavers and Glaucoma UK on a campaign encouraging those from African-Caribbean backgrounds to get their eyes checked more regularly, as new research shows that African-Caribbean communities are up to four times more likely to develop glaucoma, yet more likely to delay or avoid health appointments.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a history of women in my family having issues with their eyes, so I felt it would be good to use my platform to help raise awareness for people of the African and Caribbean communities,\u201d Brenda says.<\/p>\n \u201cSince the campaign video aired, I\u2019ve had messages from people saying they\u2019re going to get checked, so initiatives like this really do work.\u201d<\/p>\n The campaign, dubbed The Aunties Army, features a video of Brenda calling on the UK\u2019s \u2018aunties\u2019 to protect their loved ones from deteriorating eye health.<\/p>\n \u201cI was raised by my aunties, both my mum\u2019s friends and blood relatives. It\u2019s about the strong women within the community.\u201d<\/p>\n Brenda adds, \u201cThey are given respect and are people you go to for advice, so why not trust them with your health? That\u2019s what we are trying to get across in the campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n Brenda Edwards supports the Specsavers Aunties Army campaign raising awareness of glaucoma in Afro-Caribbean communities. To watch the video and help spread the message, visit specsavers.co.uk\/eye-health\/glaucoma<\/a><\/p>\n * Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Brenda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4_2025-BAFTA-Television-Awards-With-PO-Cruises-Roaming-Arrivals.jpg\")
Brenda loves Loose Women as much as the West End(Image: BAFTA via Getty Images)![\"Brenda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_X_FACTOR_BRENDA_EDWARDS_1JPG.jpg\")
She first appeared on our screens on X Factor two decades ago(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n