Former ITV panelist Andrea McLean, 56, disclosed that leaving Loose Women in 2020 to launch a wellness brand led to a cascade of financial loss, a severe medical emergency and the loss of her family home.. She now says the ordeal has reshaped her view of success and inspired a memoir titled *Shameless*.

The 2020 launch of “This Girl Is On Fire” amid COVID‑19

According to the source, McLean left the security of Loose Women to start a lifestyle and wellness label called “This Girl Is On Fire.” The venture coincided with the global pandemic, which the report says “crippled her business ventures and led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds from her personal savings.” The timing proved disastrous, as lockdowns halted consumer spending on non‑esesntial services.

Loss of a £1 million home and savings

The financial fallout was stark: McLean’s one‑million‑pound house was repossessed,forcing her family into rented accommodation. She described having to sell personal belongings to cover food and utility bills while debt collectors called “every hour.” The source notes that the collapse erased years of wealth built during her television career.

Medical collapse: pneumonia, kidney injury and sepsis

Compounding the monetary strain, McLean suffered a “catastrophic combination of severe pneumonia, acute kidney injury, and sepsis,” which left her incapacitated and unable to work. The report says the health crisis “nearly cost her her life,” highlighting how the physical debilitation overlapped with her financial desperation.

From Starbucks rejection to the book “Shameless”

In a moment of humility, McLean applied for a job at Starbucks, only to receive no response—a detail the source describes as “humiliating.” Her agent warned that such a move could damage her TV reputation, creating a paradox between immediate income needs and long‑term career prospects.. mcLean later channeled the experience into her memoir *Shameless*, where she discusses “the freedom found through failure” and credits her third husband, Nick Feeney, for supporting her through the crisis.

Will McLean return to TV presenting?

The source does not confirm any plans for McLean to re‑enter television, leaving the question of a comeback unanswered.. While she has spoken about rebuilding her mental and emotional strength, she has not indicated whether she will seek another high‑profile presenting role.