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LOOSE Women's Andrea McLean broke down in tears as she revealed that she was quitting the show after 13 years.
The 51-year-old presenter couldn't hide her emotion as she shared the news with her co-stars and viewers at home this afternoon.
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Andrea reflected on having a nervous breakdown last year as she explained that she will not be back on the show after Christmas, praising ITV for their support and insisting that it was entirely her own choice to leave.
The TV favourite struggled to speak between sobs as she discussed her decision, admitting that she'd previously promised herself that she wouldn't cry.
The announcement was made at the end of the show following a discussion on things that the coronavirus pandemic has changed the Loose ladies' perspective on.
Andrea began: "So many people are talking about how they can't wait for life to get back to normal and I sat and did that, I thought: 'Do I want my life to go back to the normal it was before?'
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"Last year I had a nervous breakdown and what I felt was this year, collectively, the world had a breakdown and the experience I had means that this year I was mentally really strong to deal with everything that the pandemic threw at us."
Andrea continued: "But it made me stop and think: 'What do I actually want?' If there is anything that can show us you only get one life…
"Are you living it the way you want? Doing everything you want to do? Being brave and taking chances? And I realised no."
The star then became visibly choked up as she burst into tears, saying: "I didn't think I was going to cry, but I'll be leaving soon."
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"I want to be brave; all the incredible feedback I had from my book, I want to bring it to life.
"It was a really, really big decision to jump and see if I fall or fly and I just thought that I would never know unless I try, so I am saying goodbye to Loose Women."
Andrea repeatedly apologised for crying as she confirmed it was her choice to leave, and that she will be on our screens for a little longer yet.
She said: "I am not leaving today, it's just my day to tell you guys. ITV have been amazing, I've been anchoring Loose Women for 13 years, I've been part of ITV for over 23 years and the team have been so amazing.
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"You just never know unless you try so I want to put myself out there and see what the universe has in store - and help as many women as I can."
The other Loose Women were also emotional at the news, with Brenda Edwards admitting she was a "blubbering mess" as Saira Khan promised to give Andrea a huge send-off.
The TV favourite had opened up about her secret breakdown while anchoring Loose Women earlier this year, also revealing she and husband Nick Feeney sought marriage counselling as a result of it.
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The mum-of-two said at the time: "I had a breakdown last year which is not something I've spoken about but I did.
"If it had happened this year then I would have been in trouble, but I've worked on things and got support.
"We had already calmed our lives down and I had therapy so actually I was quite chill when (the lockdown) happened."
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Andrea McLean reveals she had a breakdown last year and her recovery has helped her cope in lockdown
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She added: "I know all of us were scared for the first week or so, but I focused on what I could control and not what I couldn't.
"I feel very grateful that I have my family and we are all healthy."
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Andrea later said that at her darkest time she contemplated taking her own life as she battled crippling anxiety - unbeknown to her friends and family.
The star has been praised for speaking so openly about her mental health battle, and she hopes to raise more awareness as she explores new ventures after leaving Loose Women.
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