FURIOUS Carol McGiffin has revealed she's "stepped back" from Loose Women after a "totally unjust" contract dispute.
The opinionated ITV panelist, 63, explained her hiatus from the talk-show series, which has seen her switch the small screen for exotic holidays in Thailand.
Carol has now broken her silence on her Loose Women gig after joining the show originally in 2000.
She told Best Magazine how the "stress" over upcoming contract negotiations had been impacting her life.
She said: "I haven't been on the show for two months now because I've had to step away from it.
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"It was causing me too much stress, which was mostly down to a difficult contract issue I'd been challenging since January.
"The problem was, ITV were insisting, for the first time since I went back in 2018, that if I wanted to carry on doing the show, I would have to sign a contract that was totally unjust and unworkable for me, so I had to say no thanks.
"And I know it looks like I've thrown my toys out of the pram, but the whole saga was affecting my health."
An ITV spokesperson said: "ITV will not comment on or disclose details of individual contracts but all ITV contracts comply with the relevant external legislation."
Carol, who is a favourite for her fiery opinions and was recently criticised for slamming her co-stars tattoos, was quick to emphasise her current situation.
She added to the publication: "It's not really that I've left, I'm just not doing it at the moment. I feel quite upset about it, if I'm honest, because although it is my decision, I felt like it was one I was being forced to make.
"No one in their right mind would have signed that contract. And I can't see a way back from it."
And ITV insider said: "From April 2021, HMRC made changes to off-payroll (IR35) legislation, which means the responsibility of assessing whether a role is employed or self-employed for tax purposes, now sits with all employers.
"ITV has updated its contracting policy in line with this HMRC legislation and communicated any contract changes to all those concerned. Assessments are done on a case-by-case basis and subject to on-going monitoring as circumstances and legislation evolve."
With the Loose Women tour upcoming, Carol confirmed she will not be a part of it.
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With her break from the small screen, she is now focussing on writing and enjoying the summer.
Previously on Loose Women, Carol has lashed out a Meghan Markle.
She has also clashed over the subject of working class billionaires and called out "lazy" Brits for eating takeaways.
