'Loose Women has got me through some very, very bad times': Emotional Sherrie Hewson, 65, breaks down as she bids farewell to ITV panel show after 14 years

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She's lived through a divorce and the dramas of dating in her Sixties during her decade on Loose Women.

So an emotional Sherrie Hewson felt like she had lifelong friends - not only on the panel but also the ITV audience at home - to thank for getting her through 'some very, very bad times' on Monday; her final ever episode.

Bidding farewell to the programme after almost 14 years, the 65-year-old broke down during a string of surprises, including special guests, tributes and montages.

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Emotional farewell: Sherrie Hewson bid an emotional farewell to Loose Women after 14 years, on Monday's show

'Thank you to these girls,' she began. 'They've got me through everything. [To the audience] it's been absolutely amazing. 

'Thank you for supporting me, it's been amazing and you mean the whole world.' 

Dubbed the most 'Bonkers Loose Woman' of all time, Sherrie made her first appearance on the panel show in 2003.

It was during an episode of the show, in 2011, that Sherrie announced that she was leaving cheating husband Ken Boyd, after 28 years of marriage.

Goodbye, my friend: Kaye Adams paid a special visit to do 'This is your Loose Life'

Breaking down: She was tearful when she reflected on a hard 14 years, which have included her divorce 

A special show: (From left) Andrea McLean, Coleen Nolann and Nadia Sawalha made sure it was a very special send off

She continued on Monday: 'My fourteen years have got me though those very, very bad times.

'To the audience, who has cared about me and cared about my family. These girls are what it's all about. This is the most wonderful show to be a part of.' 

Sherrie shared her final show with Andrea McLean, Coleen Nolan and Nadia Sawalha on the day, but they had plenty of faces ready to surprise Sherrie, too. 

Benidorm star Sherrie was most surprised to see co-star Jake Canuso in the studio that afternoon.

Emotional farewell: Sherrie Hewson (right, here in 20911 with Jenny Eclair) has bid farewell to Loose Women after 14 years

Throwback: She has shared the panel with (from left) Sally Lindsay, Michelle Collins, Denise Welch (here in December 2011) since first appearing in 2003

Bonkers: Her panellists affectionately called her the most 'bonkers' Loose Woman (here in November 2010, with Carol McGiffin

Giving him a ticking off for lying, she revealed that he had sent her a text that morning with a picture of that showed him sunbathing in Spain.

Sherrie will leave the show to work closer with Jake on the drama, as well as parts in Are You Being Served? and also Aladdin, the pantomine, with John Thompson.

John was just one of the familiar friends paying tribute to Sherrie on the show to coincide with the return of ITV drama Cold Feet.  

Also on the show, Sherrie was reunited with her Coronation Street lover Curly Watts, played by actor Kevin Kennedy. 

Jokers: The panel made light of her divorce from Ken Boyd, by giving her a Ken doll

Accidentally on purpose? She laughed out loud when she accidentally snapped the doll's neck

Spoiled rotten: The actress was given a very special collection of gifts

How special: She was gifted a montage of photos from her time on the show

In her honour: She was also given a dog named Diva, who she has sponsored

'I've slept with him!' She declared as Kevin rounded the corner into the studio, met by rapturous applauds.

On filming with Sherrie, he told the audience: 'She's very unpredictable. We were playing this love scene and we had this clinch and at the end she just jumped on me with her knee first in the unmentionables.'

'If you can trip over it, she will fall over it. I just thought she's going to be trouble but we have some great memories. 

Gifts galore: The actress was given a huge, beautiful bouquet of flowers

She will be missed: The women will say goodbye to Sherrie after a long old stint

Especially for you: Coleen gave a musical tribute to her friend

Thank you for being a friend: Coleen sung a special tribute to her friend

Tributes were also paid by This Morning presenters Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford, as well as some of Loose Women Sherrie has worked with over the years, including June Sarpong, Stacey Solomon and Linda Robson. 

Celebrity Big Brother winner Stephen Bear, exposing his chest in a sexy postman's costume, was also invited along to the party to share special messages.

But it was a video message from her two beloved granddaughters that gave Sherrie a lump in her throat, as she was missing them going back to school that morning. 

Reunited: Sherrie was reunited with her Coronation Street lover Kevin Kennedy

Special memories: The duo shared many on-screen moments

Surprise! Celebrity Big Brother winner Stephen Bear was also invited to read messages

Cheeky monkey: The opportunist planted a kiss on panellist Andrea straight away

Working together: She is due to share the stage with John Thompson later this year

The well-wishings were also bolstered by presenters for the Loose Women veteran, whose special moments were captured on a special collage of photos. 

Since she will resume filming in Spain after her time in London, dog-lover Sherrie was gifted a disability assistance dog named Diva.

Diva was sponsored in Sherrie's name by the Loose Women because she can’t have a dog in Spain. 

To close the show, the actress was treated to a special live performance by musician Coleen Nolan, singing Thank You For Being A Friend.

The interlude saw Coleen similarly break down mid-song. 

So sweet: She received plenty of hugs on what was to be an emotional afternoon

Hugs: There were plenty of hugs to go around for the actress

Panel favourite: She will be sorely missed by the bunch