Andrea McLean: From Weather Girl to Women’s Advocate
Early Life & Beginnings
Born in Glasgow on 5 October 1969, Andrea Jean McLean spent her early years in Trinidad and Tobago before returning to Scotland at age 15 and settling in Leicestershire Of Russian-Jewish heritage through her paternal line, she graduated from Coventry University with a BA in Modern Studies and earned a postgraduate qualification in journalism .
Rise in Broadcasting
Andrea’s career started in the mid-1990s as a travel writer and radio weather reporter. In 1997, she joined GMTV as a weather presenter, remaining until the end of 2008 and swiftly becoming a household favourite Simultaneously, she debuted as a panel member on ITV’s popular daytime chat show, Loose Women.
By 2009, she became a permanent fixture on Loose Women, anchoring the show for over a decade until her departure in December 2020 . In 2024, she made a surprise comeback as part of the programme’s 25th anniversary celebrations
Championing Women’s Health
Andrea has used her platform to tackle often-taboo subjects such as menopause. Her acclaimed book, Confessions of a Menopausal Woman, and its accompanying tour sparked a wave of public conversations—within 24 hours, she received nearly 10,000 responses from women eager to engage This inspired her to launch This Girl Is On Fire, an online community focused on midlife wellness and empowerment
Personal Struggles & Resilience
Andrea’s life journey includes notable challenges. In 2016, she underwent a hysterectomy due to endometriosis, which triggered early menopause, a subject she candidly shared on-air Prima. She has also battled long COVID and influenza complications, culminating in a serious health crisis in early 2024: collapsing at home led to diagnoses of severe pneumonia, sepsis, and acute kidney injury. She spent several weeks in hospital and shared that at one point, doctors told her husband she might not survive another day—an experience that profoundly changed her perspective on life
On the emotional toll of past events, Andrea revealed she experienced agoraphobia following her divorces, feeling unable to leave home until supportive friends and her own strength helped her recover
Current Chapter: A New Horizon
In mid-2025, Andrea announced an emotional pivot: after her company dissolved earlier this year, she and husband Nick Feeney decided to relocate to Spain. She described it as a “leap of faith”—an opportunity to embrace sunshine, pursue writing, and focus on wellbeing
Legacy & Public Impact
Over her extensive career, Andrea McLean has earned respect for her warmth, honesty, and advocacy. From GMTV to Loose Women, through books and public speaking, she continues to inspire women navigating midlife transitions. Her resilience in the face of personal and professional adversity highlights her message: it’s never too late to seize your days—and redefine your path.
Why Andrea McLean matters
She’s more than a broadcaster—she’s a trailblazer normalising menopause, speaking openly about mental health, and empowering women to start new chapters, no matter their age or past.