Daytime television was buzzing last week when Loose Women viewers noticed something unusual on screen: Charlene White appeared without a poppy ahead of Remembrance Day.
The ITV presenter, also a familiar face on ITV News, joined co-panellists Oti Mabuse, Judi Love, and Kelle Bryan for the live show, sparking a wave of online reactions when she skipped the symbolic red flower that her colleagues wore.
While the panel discussed headlines ranging from Lily Allen’s split from David Harbour to King Charles’ latest royal engagements, many viewers were distracted by Charlene’s missing poppy on her pink jacket, noting the stark difference alongside Oti, Judi, and Kelle, who all proudly displayed theirs.
Viewer Backlash Erupts on Social Media
The response on X, formerly Twitter, was immediate and fierce.
Fans accused Charlene of showing “no respect” and called for her removal from the daytime series.
One user wrote, “Charlene shouldn’t be presenting as she doesn’t want to wear a poppy. No respect.”
Another added, “Does Charlene not care that many men lost their lives fighting for our country? The disrespect is disgraceful.”
The comments continued to pour in, with viewers questioning why she refused to wear a poppy while everyone else on the show had done so.
Some even branded it a “total disgrace to the memory of those who gave their lives for our future.”
Supporters Defend Charlene’s Choice
Not everyone agreed with the outrage. Some fans defended Charlene’s decision, pointing out that personal choice and freedom of opinion matter.
One supporter wrote, “In a democracy, you are supposed to be free to have your own views and opinions, not what the poppy police say you should do.”
Another mocked the critics, joking, “Oops, the poppy police are out again.”
Charlene herself did not comment on the live show but has previously explained her stance in an article for ITV.
She highlighted that impartiality rules prevent her from promoting a single charity on screen, including The Royal British Legion.
The presenter clarified that her decision is not about disrespect but about maintaining neutrality due to her other charitable commitments.
Explaining the Decision Behind the Absence
In her ITV article, Charlene admitted that the choice to forgo wearing a poppy is always difficult, as it invites both scrutiny and online abuse.
She revealed that while she cannot visibly support one charity on news broadcasts, she fully supports colleagues who wear poppies.
Privately, she donates to the British Legion and even displays a ceramic poppy from the Tower of London at home.
She emphasized the importance of freedom of choice and expression, saying, “Please don’t think that I don’t understand the sacrifices made by servicemen and women 100 years ago.
It is always important to remember what my family, your family, and millions of people over many generations have fought for: the right to choose.”
Facing Abuse as a Public Figure
Charlene has long been open about the abuse she receives as a black woman in the public eye.
In 2021, speaking to Love Sunday magazine, she reflected on the hostility from trolls, including a petition to have her sacked.
She described receiving overwhelming abuse, particularly from groups like the English Defence League, and admitted that at its worst, it made her cry.
Despite the negativity, she continues to maintain her professionalism on screen while asserting her right to personal choices and charity neutrality.
Loose Women Continues on ITV
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30 pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX, continuing to deliver lively discussions on current affairs, celebrity news, and cultural debates—poppy controversies included.