Outgoing Coronation Street actress Shobna Gualti is to join the panel of ITV’s Loose Women.

Gulati, who recently completed filming on the ITV soap, said today: “I’m delighted to be joining the Loose Women team. It’s a show I have watched and loved for years.” 

Sharon Powers, Loose Women’s executive producer, added: “We're thrilled that Shobna will become a Loose Woman - she is a very exciting addition to the team.”  

Viewers will get to see Gulati sharing her feelings with panellists Carol Vorderman, Lisa Maxwell, Carol McGiffin and Sherrie Hewson when she phones for a chat on today’s show (ITV, 12.30pm).

The actress is widely tipped to leave her role as Sunita Alahan in mid-March as part of a storyline that sees a fire hit the Rovers Return. When the 46-year-old announced her departure from Corrie back in October 2012, she commented:

"I have loved playing Sunita but, having played the role originally from 2001 to 2005 and then returning to Corrie four years ago, I really feel the time has come for me to focus on other aspects of my career."