Judi Love is a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
star Judi Love is a staple on our screens and in the last two years has appeared on the likes of Taskmaster, Noughts + Crosses, The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off and Celebrity Gogglebox.
However, a little known fact about Judi is that once she went through such a tough time before fame that she could barely afford to celebrate Christmas.
During a Loose Women episode, Judi opened up and confessed to viewers: “Christmas came, and I had something like £87. I had these two kids, I had the bills and my debts that accumulated from just trying to take care of my kids. I wasn’t out partying … I just wanted to look after my kids. My mum had passed by then, so there was no, ‘Mummy, can you square me at 50’ or whatever. It was just really, really frightening.”
Thankfully, with some help and support from a loan firm, Judi was able to get a handle on her debts and her life back on track, but she never forgot the difficult situation she was in, with her honest admission also helping to offer solidarity to others who were in the same situation now.
Judi, 43, is a parent to two teenagers, and earlier in the year opened up to OK! about the importance of looking after yourself as a single parent. She said: “Honestly, I like to date myself – whether it be a trip to a spa, go for a nice meal, whatever. It’s important to love yourself. Self-love is so underrated, it allows you to learn what your standards and boundaries are.”
Judi Love made the heartbreaking admission on Loose Women (Image: GETTY)
The comedian opened up about her struggles with body confidence but, as she’s got older, the star has learned to appreciate her body and be grateful for what she’s got.
“Especially when you have children and your body changes – mine has over the years – it’s natural to have a moment when you lack confidence. I’ve been trying to focus more on how grateful I am for my body. Yes, I’ve got a belly and cellulite.
Yes, I’ve got stretch marks… but these are all part of me. My body carried two beautiful children and it gets me up every morning. It allows me to do the work that I love. I wish I had that much confidence when I was younger though.”