ITV’s Loose Women sparked intense controversy among viewers after featuring Gypsy Rose Blanchard on the panel during Wednesday’s episode. 

Fans of the show were left furious, questioning why a convicted murderer was given a platform on daytime television, with many taking to social media to express their outrage.

The 33-year-old, who served more than eight years behind bars for her role in the murder of her mother, 

Claudine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, appeared on the show to discuss her life post-incarceration and promote her latest television project, Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up. 

However, the decision to have her as a guest did not sit well with many viewers, who criticized ITV for what they saw as an attempt to gain attention through sensationalism.

Viewers Lash Out Over Gypsy Rose’s Appearance

During the interview, Loose Women panelists Jane Moore and Denise Welch asked Gypsy Rose about her past, her time in prison, and how she has moved forward since her release. Despite her candid responses, the segment left many watching at home feeling uncomfortable.

Social media erupted with criticism, with viewers questioning why she was being treated as a celebrity figure rather than someone who played a role in a serious crime.

One viewer angrily posted, “Why the hell is she on Loose Women? In court, a video was shown where she acted out the murder. Her then-boyfriend did the killing because she told him to, and they had sex next to the body. This is not opinion, this is fact. Why is she on TV?”

Another fumed, “Don’t Loose Women interview some absolute trash? Scraping the barrel.”

A third person commented, “Imagine interviewing a murderer live on TV and being sympathetic about it. She’s evil, end of.”

Others found the warm reception and applause Gypsy received at the end of her interview to be unsettling. One viewer wrote, “That applause after the interview was just weird. Are we really supposed to celebrate this?”

Gypsy Rose’s Justification and Regret

During her conversation with Jane and Denise, Gypsy Rose opened up about her difficult past and why she made the choices that led to her conviction.

At the heart of the tragic case was her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who was found to have had Munchausen syndrome by proxy—a psychological disorder where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in another person, often to gain attention or sympathy.

Gypsy Rose had spent much of her life being falsely told she was gravely ill, confined to a wheelchair, and subjected to unnecessary medical treatments. She explained to the Loose Women panel that at the time, she felt trapped and saw no way out.

“At the time, I was very, very sheltered,” she admitted. “The only person I felt I could confide in was my co-defendant. I wish I would have gone through other avenues, and that is forever a lifelong regret. But unfortunately, hindsight is 20/20, and I can’t change the past.”

She acknowledged that she lives with the guilt of her mother’s murder every single day. “That’s a lifelong sentence,” she said. “I might have served eight and a half years in prison, but that is a lifelong sentence for me.”

Defending Her Mother’s Legacy

Despite everything that transpired, Gypsy Rose made it clear that she never intended to portray her mother as a villain.

“I never wanted to villainize my mum,” she told the panel. “All I ever did was share my story, and unfortunately, the sins of her past put that label on her. I don’t feel she was evil. I feel like she needed mental help.”

She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about Munchausen syndrome by proxy, suggesting that cases like her mother’s should prompt discussions about mental health rather than simply painting people as monsters.

Life After Prison and Motherhood

Since her release, Gypsy Rose has been rebuilding her life and recently welcomed her first child with her partner, Ken Urker. Motherhood, she revealed, has given her a new perspective on her past and has helped her heal.

“I had been suffering from the trigger word ‘mum’ or ‘mother,’” she said. “But now that I am a mother myself, it has taken on a new meaning, and I really feel like it’s healing my inner child.”

She added that experiencing the love between a mother and daughter in a new way has reshaped everything she previously believed about motherhood.

Did ITV Make a Mistake?

While some viewers found Gypsy Rose’s story compelling, many felt that ITV had crossed a line by giving her a platform. Critics argued that there are more deserving voices to highlight, rather than someone convicted of a serious crime.

ITV has yet to respond to the backlash, but the segment has reignited debates about whether talk shows should be offering convicted criminals a space to share their narratives.

Regardless of where public opinion falls, one thing is certain—Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s appearance on Loose Women will remain one of the most divisive moments in the show’s history.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.