The Loose Women panel got into an awkward exchange during Monday’s instalment after a row erupted in front of a stunned audience over Meghan Markle.

Denise Welch hit out at Coleen Nolan after the Loose Women presenter defended Meghan Markle, adding she is “sick to death” over the “berating” the Duchess of Sussex has received.

The panel were joined by royal expert Dickie Arbiter who claimed the Sussexes should never have “walked out” on the Royal Family but things soon turned awkward between the two ITV colleagues on Monday’s episode.

Denise claimed Prince Andrew is hardly ever mentioned during royal coverage as she hit out at the expert before Coleen quickly intervened.

As the pair went back and forth, host Coleen said: “Listen… we don’t want [Dickie] on here to have a debate really. We want to know how Charles is doing now and, the future for Charles. It’s not a debate.”

Loose Women’s Denise Welch defended Meghan Markle on the ITV show (Image: Getty)

“Well don’t have a guest on,” Denise blasted. “I can say what I like Coleen!”

The Loose Women host replied: “I’m not saying you can’t.”

Dickie interjected: “You can say… [what you like].” To which Denise commented: “Thank you, Dickie.”

The row erupted after the panel discussed whether there should be a royal reunion between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the rest of the royals.

Dickie said: “Harry has been rubbishing the family since they walked out in 2020. In 2021, we had Oprah and at the end of 2022 six hours of Netflix. The beginning of 2023, 600 pages of [Spare]…”

“We did Dickie,” Denise remarked. “May I say, do you not think there is a reason why Harry did such a thing?”

She continued: “His dad married Diana when he was in love with Camilla and so ruined a lot of Diana’s life because of his affair. This young boy then witnesses the death of his mother who was forced to walk publicly in front of the world behind [her] coffin and accept this woman he doesn’t like as his stepmother.”

Denise Welch hit out on ITV’s Loose Women as she defended Meghan Markle (Image: ITV)

Coleen Nolan interjected during the heated debate about Meghan Markle (Image: ITV)

Denise claimed Meghan has been “trashed” online including by Dickie himself, as she continued: “[Meghan] was doing a lot of good on the world stage before she met this guy. I’m just sick to death of the bashing this woman gets.

“Hardly any of you mentions Andrew and yet everyday we continually berate this woman. I think when her children grow up and see what she goes through I think Harry had a bloody good reason to write that book in my opinion.”

Her comments were met with a unanimous applause before Dickie said: “Well, I’m not going to argue with you because that’s not what I’m here for.”

She replied: “You had your say and I had mine. That’s how it goes.”

“May I just say,” he interjected, “You’ve been reading too many tabloid stories.”

Journalist and royal expert Dickie Arbiter clashed with Denise Welch (Image: ITV)

Denise fumed: “No, I haven’t actually. And don’t disrespect me for saying that. I have read a lot about Meghan before as well and I think it’s a disgrace the way she’s treated.”

Dickie concluded: “Well, that is an opinion. I think it’s a disgrace the way they have treated the rest of the royal family.”

Loose Women viewers took to X and reacted to the on-air row, which sparked a divide as @SayidMet wrote: “Denise Welsh spoke the opinion of many, we love her for it. #LooseWomen”

@theMaizeK: “Denise entitled to her opinion, but there’s a time and a place to let rip.#loosewomen.”

@OhPleas13103648 remarked: “Good on you too Denise for yr excellent pushback to @RoyalDickie 4 the rubbish he was spouting on #LooseWomen about the Sussexes.”(sic)

@barbie_dolleyes said: “#loosewomen Well done Denise, you wiped the floor with Dickie.”

@PGUK78: “He handled it perfectly, and Denise had valid points. I did feel for Colleen being snapped at.”

Dickie later claimed the Sussexes need to apologise to Charles and the rest of the family as Coleen wrapped up the segment.

She said: “Thank you so much Dickie. It was a great debate actually and I’m sure people will agree to disagree about the Royal Family forever more.”

Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV at 12.30pm