Loose Women introduces Dancing on Ice star as new panellist

Loose Women is bringing a new person to the panel, as Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes is set to join the ITV lunchtime show on a full-time basis.

The former Dancing on Ice star revealed she was "excited" to be a part of the series, saying: "Having met a few of the panellists recently, I know that the shows will be full of energy, smiles, tears and lots of laughs.

"I hope I can bring my energy to the show and I will be up for doing any mad experiences that they throw at me."

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She added she was inspired to join the show after her documentary, Kelly Holmes: Being Me aired on ITV.

Mark Bourdillon//Channel 4

"It will be so different to anything I have done before in my career, but now I have found my authentic voice since the airing of my documentary, I will join in on many conversations that I felt I never could before," she said.

Kelly recently came out, explaining why she felt the need to explain her sexuality.

"I needed to do this now, for me. It was my decision," she told Sunday Mirror. "I’m nervous about saying it. I feel like I’m going to explode with excitement. Sometimes I cry with relief. The moment this comes out, I’m essentially getting rid of that fear."

The 52-year-old said she was afraid to come out when she was younger as she was in the Army which had rules against LGBTQ+ service members, a rule that was only lifted in 2000.

Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London

She spoke out about having her quarters searched at 23 years old, saying: "They pulled everything out of your cupboard, turned out the beds and drawers, read letters – everything – trying to catch us out, so we could be arrested, court martialled and potentially go to jail.

"It’s humiliating, it’s degrading – it feels disrespectful when you’re serving your country and you’re doing a good job. You feel violated, treated like you’re some massive villain.

"Those moments stuck with me because I didn’t want to lose my job, I loved it. But I felt the law was wrong.

"How can who you feel connected with affect whether you can fire a weapon, be on the front line, take a physical training instructor class?"

Loose Women airs on ITV weekdays.