Anthea Turner has opened up about her romantic life during her latest appearance on the Suddenly Single podcast, sharing notable reflections on her years spent single following the end of her marriages. After her friendship with Jane Moore, also known for her role on the panel of Loose Women, Turner admitted she should’ve been ‘more open’ about her dating endeavors.
Following her marriages to businessman Grant Bovey and former Radio 1 DJ Peter Powell, Turner devoted her time to self-improvement instead of focusing on dating. She indulged herself with activities like DIY, buying her own car, and sorting out her mortgage, but lamented, “you don’t eat well on your own.” It reflects the challenges many face during periods of solitary living.
Moore humorously alluded to Turner’s dating difficulties, quipping, “it was because I'd got 'f** off' tattooed on my forehead.” This blunt observation inspired Turner to reconsider her openness to new relationships, leading her to share details about her past.
Turner originally met Bovey back in 1998, marrying him in the year 2000. The couple’s marriage eventually ended when they separated briefly before their divorce was finalized in 2015. Notably, last month saw reports of her call to postpone her upcoming wedding to partner Mark Armstrong for the fourth time, even though she clarified the event was never concretely organized. “We tell our friends we'll sort it out,” she mused, hinting at the potential for spontaneous plans like eloping on holiday.
Meanwhile, ant the Loose Women panel, Brenda Edwards shared another deeply personal account during the same week, focusing on her son Jamal’s death and the heaviness of grief. During the February 26 episode, she reflected on moving houses and how deeply intertwined these changes are with her emotional healing.
Edwards endured numerous relocations throughout her life, attesting to having moved 13 times, with nine moves after she turned 18. Following Jamal’s unexpected death from cardiac arrhythmia at just 31 years old, Brenda found herself compelled to change homes again, finding the previous residence too filled with memories of loss. “I made the decision to move from the other house, where we all lived together,” Brenda expressed, capturing the sorrowful sentiment of feeling trapped by remnants of the past. “All of a sudden, the walls just seemed really dark,” she continued, describing the chilling effect of grief within her living space.
Brenda’s daughter, Tanisha, shared the same environment filled with memories, which may have been compounded by the fact they were both experiencing their grief as they navigated through life without Jamal. “I didn’t realize Tanisha was seeing Jamal come round every corner,” Brenda admitted, highlighting the differing ways individuals cope with loss. Her open reflections serve to inspire others to confront their emotional challenges more candidly.
Since Jamal’s passing, Brenda has frequently requested respect for her family's privacy, emphasizing the overwhelming support received since his death. Following the tragic news, she stated, “It is with the deepest heartache… myself, his sister Tanisha and the rest of his family are completely devastated. He was the center of our world,” speaking volumes to the life-changing impact Jamal’s life and death have had on her.
The sharing of such deeply personal journeys among the Loose Women* panel not only prompts conversations about love and loss but encourages viewers to engage with their own emotional narratives. Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30 PM on ITV1, inviting audiences to witness this blend of entertainment and heartfelt revelations.