Loose Women viewers were divided today as Denise Welch and Janet Street Porter clashed over the topic of flags.

Tuesday’s (August 19) programme saw the panel discuss Birmingham City Council and Tower Hamlets Council in London removing unauthorised St George’s flags raised in recent days by activists.

Host Christine Lampard asked the guests to ponder whether the flag of England, rather than the Union Jack, was a “symbol of pride” for them. And while Denise and Janet got worked up over what the flag represents to them, social media users vented with their opinions, with Denise dismissed and abused online.

Janet Street Porter: ‘That’s absolutely mad’ (Credit: YouTube)
What did Denise Welch say on Loose Women today?

Denise was first to respond, and said: “I think it I think it’s a shame because I think it should be [a symbol of pride]. We should all be proud of our national flag. However, we can’t deny that the St George’s flag has been hijacked by the Far Right.”

She went on to mention how she’d seen someone on TV say if they saw the flag outside a pub, they probably wouldn’t go in due to “the type of people they might find in there”.

Denise Welch was unconvinced by Janet’s words (Credit: YouTube)
‘Taking the flag back from the Far Right’

At this point, Janet interjected to fume: “That’s absolutely mad.” A few moments later, Janet added: “Bonkers.”

Janet then proceeded to declare: “I would say to anyone watching: ‘Fly whatever flag you want.’ Just flap it around.”

She reasoned: “The only way we’re going to claim back the English flag from, as you say, the Far Right, is for ordinary, normal people who love England, who aren’t, you know, fascists or whatever, to claim that and own their flag.”

Janet also added: “When I lived in central London, I had a chance to have a flag pole on my house. So believe me, I had the JSP flag made and I ran it up the flagpole.” She also joked her flag had been a ‘skull and crossbones’ flag.

Denise Welch and Janet Street Porter debated vigorously (Credit: YouTube)
How Loose Women viewers reacted

Flag enthusiasts savaged Denise for her takes. “Oh shut up Denise. You never say anything of any significance or importance #LooseWomen,” one viewer countered on X.

“Absolute idiot Denise #LooseWomen,” someone else slammed her.

Another X user claimed: “Denise talks absolute [blank]. She’s making the issue with the flag worse #LooseWomen.”

While another show fan added St George and Union Jack emojis to their words as they posted: “Yes Janet #LooseWomen.”

Meanwhile, one viewer seethed: “The Union Jack and St George’s flag should be flown proudly. If anyone doesn’t like it as they feel offended then it’s them that can [blank] off! #LooseWomen.”

But someone else argued: “If you want to fly a flag from your own property, that’s fine. If you want to fly it from a lamppost, that’s not fine. It’s not what lampposts are for #LooseWomen.”

Another person put it: “You can put as many flags up on your private property as you like. But not on public property unless approved and outside No 10 or a council building etc #LooseWomen.”

The thing is those flags aren’t being put up to celebrate the country.

And yet another said: “The thing is those flags aren’t being put up to celebrate the country. They’re being weaponised by the Far Right and these are being put up to make a point #LooseWomen.”

Things got heated on Loose Women this week as panelists Denise Welch and Janet Street-Porter clashed during a fiery debate over the English flag — leaving viewers divided and the studio visibly tense.

The disagreement erupted during a discussion about whether the St George’s Cross, often flown during major sporting events, particularly football tournaments, has become a symbol of nationalism or even exclusion. What started as a topical conversation quickly turned into a passionate exchange of opposing views, with both women refusing to back down.

Denise Welch, known for her outspoken and progressive stance on social issues, argued that the English flag has unfortunately been “hijacked” in some contexts and is sometimes used to push divisive agendas. She explained that while she supports people being proud of where they come from, it’s important to acknowledge the discomfort the flag can cause for some due to its association with far-right groups in certain cases.

“Of course we should be proud of our country,” Denise said, “but we also have to be aware that symbols can take on different meanings. The flag, at times, hasn’t been used as a symbol of unity — and that’s something we can’t just ignore.”

Janet Street-Porter, however, took a sharply different view. The veteran broadcaster defended the St George’s Cross as a legitimate and harmless emblem of national pride. “It’s our flag — and we have every right to fly it,” she insisted. “We shouldn’t let extremists dictate what our national identity means. If we keep giving into that, then we lose what the flag originally stood for.”

As the debate intensified, both women raised their voices and talked over each other, prompting fellow panelists to attempt to mediate. Viewers at home could feel the tension through their screens, with many taking to social media to share their own thoughts — some praising Denise for her awareness of cultural sensitivity, while others applauded Janet for standing firm on national pride.

The clash underscores a larger ongoing conversation in Britain about identity, inclusion, and patriotism. While many see the English flag as a straightforward celebration of heritage, others are concerned about the baggage it may carry in a diverse and modern society. The Loose Women segment quickly became a trending topic, sparking broader online debate.

ITV, the network behind the daytime show, did not release an official comment but the moment was widely shared on social platforms and replayed in news coverage the following day. Some viewers expressed discomfort at the combative tone of the discussion, while others appreciated that the show allowed for such open and raw dialogue.

Denise later took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify her remarks, saying: “I love my country. But loving it means asking hard questions sometimes. The flag should represent all of us — not just a certain kind of patriotism.” Meanwhile, Janet was equally firm in her stance, stating in a follow-up interview that political correctness should not stop people from embracing national symbols.

This isn’t the first time Loose Women has sparked controversy with its panel discussions. The show is known for tackling divisive issues head-on, and this segment was a clear example of how complex conversations can unfold in real time — with raw emotion and differing perspectives clashing under the spotlight.

For some viewers, the clash was a reminder of why they watch Loose Women: to see real women with real opinions speak their minds. For others, it raised concerns about how such conversations are moderated and whether they create more division than understanding.

In the end, the debate between Denise Welch and Janet Street-Porter was more than just a disagreement about a flag — it reflected a broader national conversation about who gets to define British identity, and what symbols like the St George’s Cross mean in today’s ever-evolving society.