Andrea McLean went through a period of self-reflection following a significant health scare. The former Loose Women star, who departed from the show in 2020 after a 13-year run, confessed that she had been accustomed to a fast-paced lifestyle that eventually took its toll.
The 56-year-old TV personality fell ill after experiencing multiple rounds of coronavirus and a challenging Christmas in 2024. She was hospitalized for pneumonia, kidney failure, and sepsis. Despite being discharged, McLean struggled to focus on her recovery as she was used to a busy schedule, always operating at full speed.
“I thrive in a high-pressure environment with numerous tasks and responsibilities,” she admitted. “It energizes me until it all came crashing down.”
In an interview with Press Association, she described her recovery, which mandated bed rest, as “challenging” until she managed to change her perspective. She stated, “I had to learn not to feel guilty when not being productive every minute, understanding that taking care of myself was a form of productivity. Reframing my time off as part of my job to recover, such as getting enough sleep and eating well, made a significant difference.”
McLean credited her move to Spain in the previous year as a crucial factor in her healing journey. “Slowing down and relocating has played a significant role in my recovery. It may sound unconventional, but it has been a part of my healing process,” she shared.
In addition to her health struggles, the star, known for her debut as a weather presenter on GMTV in 1997, opened up about facing severe financial challenges. After launching her brand This Girl Is On Fire following her departure from Loose Women, the business failed, leading to financial hardship for McLean and her husband, Nick Feeney.
Describing it as the toughest ordeal she has ever faced, McLean expressed feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness, particularly at night. She elaborated on the mental toll it took on her compared to her husband.
To cope, the couple would list three things they were grateful for each evening, a practice that McLean found difficult during tough times. Her struggles with financial difficulties are detailed in her latest book, Shameless: Finding Freedom and Resilience Through Failure. She narrates the challenges of borrowing money from family, applying for jobs, and eventually selling their UK home to start anew in Spain.
The book concludes with a poignant moment where she settles her final debt, signifying a fresh start despite not being financially secure. McLean hopes her book will help others feel less isolated by sharing her experiences of shame and resilience.
Shameless: Finding Freedom And Resilience Through Failure, authored by Andrea McLean, is published by DK Red, available for £16.99.