The star opened up about her opinion on self-service machines when it comes to the elderly
Loose Women’s Denise Welch recalled a “distressing” interaction after she labelled the introduction of self-service machines in Tesco cafe’s “cruel”.
During Wednesday’s instalment, the panel consisted of Christine Lampard, Denise Welch, GK Barry and Jane Moore as they tackled more current news and “taboo” topics.
As the show kicked off, the ladies acknowledged the news that superstore Tesco have replaced their regular café ordering system with self-service machines in order to reduce queues.
Denise Welch commented: “It is absolutely cruel. I do know we have to move forward, but we are isolating.” She then reflected on a recent incident at a car park in Wilmslow, where she shared that an elderly woman “about 80-years-old” went up to the pay machine and realised there was nowhere to put cash in anymore.
The TV personality reflected: “She was distressed by it” as the woman burst into tears and Denise offered to try and help her, even as she admitted that she is a bit of a “technophobe”.
As she referenced Tesco introducing self-service screens, Denise added: “I think people would rather queue for a little bit and have a chat.”
At 25-years-old, GK Barry joined the panel in August 2024, making her the youngest panellist in the show’s history. She was also a contestant in the 24th series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! where she finished in fifth place after she was eliminated alongside Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall.
GK Barry had a differing opinion on self-service machines as she joked: “It does hurt my heart seeing the elderly. I saw Denise and Jane ordering a McDonalds and it really distressed me.”
She then admitted she doesn’t know “the difference between a gun held to my head or calling my GP”. The rest of the panel agreed that younger generations are far more comfortable with self-service technologies compared to older people who still rely on the community that going to a café can bring.
Denise then shared that Gen-Z “don’t knock” on doors anymore, they just text to say “I’m here” to which head panellist Christine Lampard confessed that Covid-19 lockdown probably “didn’t help”.
Loose Women airs on weekdays from 12:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
