Nadia Sawalha

Nadia Sawalha is a British actress, television presenter, author and broadcaster best known for her long-standing role on Loose Women and her memorable portrayal of Annie Palmer in EastEnders. With a career spanning acting, entertainment television, cookery and lifestyle broadcasting, Nadia has become one of the UK’s most recognisable daytime television personalities. Known for her honesty, humour and relatable presenting style, she has built a loyal following across television, publishing and digital media.

After training at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Nadia began her acting career with appearances in television dramas including Casualty, The Bill and Which Way to the War. She also featured in films and television productions such as Clockwise, Slave of Dreams, The Vanishing Man and the BBC Victorian drama Station Jim. Her breakthrough role came in 1997 when she joined BBC One’s EastEnders as businesswoman Annie Palmer, becoming a well-known face in British television.

In 1999, Nadia became one of the original panellists on ITV’s Loose Women, helping establish the programme as one of the UK’s leading daytime discussion shows. Alongside her television work, she expanded into presenting and entertainment programming, hosting shows including It’s Not the Answer, Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre and Keeping Up with the Joneses, while also co-presenting BBC One’s The One Show. In 2007, she won Celebrity MasterChef, further strengthening her profile as a food and lifestyle personality.

Beyond television, Nadia is also a successful author, publishing books including Honey, I Home-schooled the Kids, Fabulous Family Food, Greedy Girl’s Diet and Nadia Sawalha’s Little Black Dress Diet. She returned to Loose Women in 2013 and has continued to be a prominent voice in lifestyle, wellbeing and family discussions, combining broadcasting with writing and online content creation.

Nadia is hired as a speaker and event host for her extensive experience across television, entertainment and lifestyle media. Having spent decades in front of live audiences and on national television, she brings warmth, authenticity and humour to every event.

Winner of Celebrity MasterChef and one of the original and longest-serving Loose Women panellists, Nadia is recognised as one of the UK’s most relatable and engaging broadcasters. Her talks cover topics including mental health, family life, confidence, resilience and women in media, drawing on her experiences across acting, presenting and publishing. Nadia delivers honest, entertaining and highly engaging presentations that connect strongly with audiences.

Here are some of the key milestones that define Nadia Sawalha’s remarkable career:

  • 2025 – Continued appearing as a lead panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and expanded her lifestyle broadcasting and digital content work.
  • 2013 – Returned to Loose Women as a regular panellist on the ITV daytime programme.
  • 2007 – Won the celebrity cooking competition Celebrity MasterChef.
  • 1999 – Became one of the original panellists on ITV’s Loose Women.
  • 1997 – Joined BBC One’s EastEnders playing the role of Annie Palmer.
  • 1995 – Co-presented BBC One’s The One Show expanding her broadcasting profile.
  • 1994 – Presented the ITV quiz programme It’s Not the Answer.
  • 1990 – Appeared in television dramas including Casualty and The Bill.
  • 1988 – Featured in productions including Clockwise and Which Way to the War.