Andrea McLean has revealed that her major brand endorsements parted ways with her on the day she left Loose Women.
The 52-year-old broadcaster had been a regular on the ITV lunchtime show for 13 years, but she stepped down after a nervous breakdown and a global epidemic pushed her to rethink her priorities.
Andrea McLean says She Quit Loose Women when all her brand deals dropped
While she had budgeted for the financial loss of leaving her well-paid TV job, she had not factored in the possibility that the other brands she worked with might cut relations with her.
She described it as a "punch in the stomach," describing herself as her family's "breadwinner."
"When I made the news that I was quitting TV to follow my heart and dreams, go all in on This Girl is On Fire, clearly we put a lot of preparing into this moment because obviously it's a massive step," she stated on the Secure The Insecure With Johnny Seifert podcast.
"I was the breadwinner, and this was the job that paid the bills, but everyone in the entertainment industry works.
"That's how significant a shift away from television is." My financial safety net had vanished, and it felt like a punch in the stomach. Oh my god, I only have my savings, I thought. I won't be able to change my mind. I don't have any extra money."
McLean chose the high path rather than being bitter.
The mother-of-two made a surprise visit on Loose Women recently for a one-off appearance.
"The door is always open to me, I appreciate that, but yeah, it will go on definitely as a guest and discuss about things 100 percent but not to work because I'm doing too much," she replied when asked about the idea of returning on a more permanent basis.
McLean has two children from previous marriages and married businessman Nick Feeney in 2017.
