Loose Women fans calls for trans radio DJ Stephanie Hirst to join show after powerful appearance
Stephanie Hirst on Loose Women (ITV)
Loose Women viewers are calling for trans radio host Stephanie Hirst to become a regular panellist following her powerful appearance on the show.
The popular Yorkshire radio presenter joined Loose Women on Wednesday (30 March) to discuss her gender journey.
Hirst explained how she began realising her gender identity at age four, and how at school, when children were being split up for activities, she would always go and sit with the girls.
By the time the broadcaster turned 17, she worked up the courage to visit a doctor about medically transitioning.
“I remember his exact words to me were: ‘I strongly recommend you don’t take this path in life, you will lose friends and family and you won’t have a successful life,'” Stephanie Hirst told the shocked Loose Women panellists.
She added: “I remember getting back in my car and just crying my eyes out”.
When asked what advice she would share for others hoping to transition, Hirst said: “It will be OK. You have to be authentic to yourself.
“You have to be prepared to jump through some hoops of fire if you are going to go through something like this. You need to get the right people around you and the right help from professionals”.
She added: “Talk to people, psychotherapy did wonders for me. That helped me to make the right decision.”
Viewers were moved by Hirst’s message as one tweeted: “Well what a revelation @StephanieHirst was on tv today. Absolutely gorgeous and so authentic and honest. Someone give her a proper long term tv contract please.”
“Big fan of @StephanieHirst. Wonderfully honest, reachable & clear. Great chat on @loosewomen for anyone who feels they were born into the wrong body,” another wrote. “So moving to hear her talking about her dark days, & coming out the other side.”
A third fan added: “@StephanieHirst looking and sounding great on #LooseWomen ?️⚧️I know the haters will be out, but I hope her words are an encouragement to many.”
Her candour during the appearance quickly earned praise from fans who immediately took to social media to call for Hirst to become a regular face on the panel.
One viewer tweeted: “@StephanieHirst – honest, brave & beautiful inside and out. Have you found a new panel member @loosewomen ? #believeachieve.”
Amazing interview with @StephanieHirst on @loosewomen
I could listen to her all day – so engaging!Future panellist maybe 🤔#LooseWomen
— Jo Sier (@joannasier) March 30, 2022
I think @ITV should offer @StephanieHirst a job as a #LooseWomen panelist. She'd be great! 📺 pic.twitter.com/FhZxHYJ59I— ɢᴀᴠɪɴ (@WhosThatGav) March 30, 2022
@StephanieHirst – honest, brave & beautiful inside and out.
Have you found a new panel member @loosewomen? #believeachieve— Sarah Whitham 💙 (@sazzleJ19) March 30, 2022
“Amazing interview with @StephanieHirst on @loosewomen I could listen to her all day – so engaging! Future panellist maybe ?#LooseWomen,” another added.
One fan wrote: “I think @ITV should offer @StephanieHirst a job as a #LooseWomen panellist. She’d be great! ?”
Stephanie Hirst currently presents a weekly show on Hits Radio and has previously worked for the BBC.
She made her full-time comeback to radio in 2018, having left the airwaves when she came out as trans in 2014.
