Loose Women presenter Ruth Langsford was forced to issue a warning to Succession star Brian Cox on Monday.

Loose Women star Ruth Langsford issued a stern warning to a guest live on-air.

Brian Cox, the star of Succession, and his wife Nicole Ansari-Cox were guests on the ITV daytime show on Monday (February 17) to discuss their marriage and joint acting ventures.

During the interview, they discussed their critically acclaimed play, The Score, which soon led to a conversation about US President Donald Trump.

Directed by Trevor Nunn from a script by Oliver Cotton, the play tells the story of one of Europe’s most tyrannical leaders, who summons one of the world’s greatest composers.

The production was first staged at Theatre Royal Bath in 2023, before its transfer to London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket later this month.

Brian Cox and Nicole Ansari-Cox appeared on Loose Women on Monday (February 17) (Image: ITV)

Speaking about the relevance of the show today, Brian said on Loose Women: “It’s even more resonant now than when we did it over a year ago, because of what’s happening in Ukraine, what’s happening with that idiot in New York, in Washington,” before branding Trump a “dumbass”.

Ruth interjected, reminding him: “Daytime show, just saying,” as Brian continued: “I did The Last Leg and I can’t repeat what I said… I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Ruth then urged him: “No, please don’t.” Brian also expressed his anxiety for his sons living in the US, following Trump’s inauguration last month.

He explained: “The difficulty is, we do worry about our sons in that situation, because it’s hell, it’s not good. It really isn’t good what’s been happening. The crap that that man comes out with is unbelievable,” reports the Mirror.

Ruth Langsford was forced to step in during an awkward interview on Loose Women (Image: ITV)

Brian almost let slip a cheeky word during the interview, but caught himself just in time, saying: “It’s just that he is so,” and hastily added that he “mustn’t say the word.”

Ruth, ever the professional, concluded the conversation with: “Thank you very much, Brian and Nicole,” before swiftly offering an apology to viewers: “And yes, we apologise for any of the fruity language, possibly, if anyone was offended.”

However, what really got viewers tweeting up a storm on X (formerly known as Twitter) wasn’t the near-miss with profanity but the “awkwardness” that permeated the air during the interview.

One viewer questioned: “Who is this awkward man,” while another chimed in: “The ladies desperately trying to save this interview.”

Echoing the sentiment, a third viewer declared: “This is an awkward interview,” and yet another pointed out Ruth’s reaction, commenting: “Ruth’s job as anchor is keep this interview on it’s toes, her childish silence is making things very awkward here.”