LOOSE Women star Janet Street-Porter has announced her temporary show exit after 13 years on the panel.
Janet, 77, told ITV1 viewers today that she’s set to leave the programme to undergo and recover from a hip replacement.
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The broadcaster was supported by her co-stars as she revealed her plans to have the op this coming Friday.
Janet confessed the surgery, which has a recovery time of between three and six months, has left her feeling “scared” and “vulnerable”.
She said: “On Friday, I’m having my hip replacement operation at last. And I can’t think about anything else.
“As I’m sitting here, I’m shaking and my hands are freezing cold. I keep shivering. I keep dreaming about it.
“When they open me up, what’s gonna come out? What if they can’t get it back together again?
“I’m just going to go into hospital on Friday, have the operation on Friday afternoon, staying in hospital for a few days and then go really, really work at rehab and physio, so that I can come back as soon as possible.
“I’ll have to do one of those broadcasts from my phone hospital bed, I’m gonna see.”
Coleen Nolan noted that Janet had mentioned how worried she’d been about the operation backstage, an admission that left her close to tears.
Janet replied: “I am vulnerable and, you know what, it’s my own fault now because they told me in March to have it done, I delayed and delayed and delayed it.
“And then, at the weekend, I had some winter vegetables and plants delivered, and in spite of my partner screaming at me, ‘Do not plant them,’ I was on all fours lying on the ground poking these little parsnips and things in.
“And then, all Sunday morning, I could not move. I just could not move. And I really messed up the other side of my back now, so I’ve had to lie down for two days.
“It’s brought home to me that, you know, I’ve let myself get too weak and I’ve never been like this in my life before, so it’s just so irritating.”
As I’m sitting here, I’m shaking and my hands are freezing cold. I keep shivering. I keep dreaming about it
Janet Street-Porter
Janet’s mood was soon lifted after being surprised with a gift basket and framed photo of Coleen to mark her last day “for a little while”.
In 2011, it was announced that Janet had joined Loose Women as a panellist.
Benefits of hip replacement explained
There are approximately 100,000 hip replacements carried out each year with “very high levels of success”, according to Professor Max.
He says: “Typically, I would always try to manage someone’s condition without a replacement, but if physiotherapy, steroid injections and activity modification is not enough then sometimes replacement is the best option.
“The warning signs to look for would be patients presenting with pain in their groin, buttock and leg, with night pain and increasing stiffness.
“This can make it difficult to put on shoes and socks and cause the patient to limp when walking any distance.
“But most patients who have a full hip replacement will regain a very good range of movement, which will allow them to do multiple activities, such as sports, skiing, gym work, yoga etc.”
If a patient is anxious about feeling any stigma, Prof Max starts by chatting through their concerns with them.
He adds: “I explain the operation and recovery, talk them through the pros and cons and explain the real benefits they can expect afterwards.
“I would explain the measures we take to reduce the risks, such as using robotic-assisted surgery to give greater precision.
“Occasionally, we will introduce patients to similar people who have had replacements so they can hear from patients who have been through it and whose lives have been transformed for the better.”
She is known on the show for her no-nonsense attitude and straight-talking opinions.
Unlike some of the other panel members, Janet has been a constant presence on the show since joining in 2011.
Janet’s career spanning five decades
The journalist started her television career at London Weekend Television in 1975, first as a presenter of a series of mainly youth-oriented programmes.
However, her TV career has moved on massively since then, and she has become a very familiar face on the box.
I am vulnerable and, you know what, it’s my own fault now because they told me in March to have it done, I delayed and delayed and delayed it
Janet Street-Porter
Janet’s competitive nature has been brought out on several reality shows, as she finished I’m A Celebrity in fourth place (2004) and came third on Celebrity MasterChef (2013)
The TV personality has also appeared on QI, Question Time and Have I Got News For You.
But away from the cameras, she’s had a very interesting career too.
After dropping out of college, Janet took up a job at Petticoat Magazine.
I’ll have to do one of those broadcasts from my phone hospital bed, I’m gonna see
Janet Street-Porter
She became the deputy fashion editor of the Daily Mail in 1969 and fashion editor of the Evening Standard two years later.
Janet has also worked for LBC local radio station, Sell Out and the Independent on Sunday.
Thanks to her very long career as a broadcaster and journalist, Janet has amassed a huge fortune.
Her net worth is estimated to be £4M.
This is topped up thanks to her regular gig on Loose Women.
