Viewers were left reeling today after the Loose Women panelists said they might not stop to help if they saw someone collapsed on the street.

During the show Brenda Edwards, 45, revealed that her brother Osborne was helped by a stranger after he suffered a heart attack while walking in Bristol in June last year.

But viewers were shocked to hear that Brenda and her fellow panelists Carol McGiffin and Saira Khan would not rush to a stranger's side if they were in a similar position.

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Today's Loose Women panelists said they were unlikely to help strangers on the streets - and even more unlikely if it were a man

Viewers were shocked by the panelists' admission that they would not stop to help a stranger that had collapsed on the street

Carol McGiffin, 59, said she would be 'a bit nervous', saying people on the streets of London could be up to no good.

She said: 'We see people getting run over on purpose for insurance.'

'I'd like to think that I would help,' Saira Khan said, 'but if it was a man in the street and he had collapsed, I don't know if I would go over and help that person.

'There's always someone helping, isn't there,' Carol went on.

One person on Twitter reacted to the show and said: 'I have to say, I'm a bit shocked that nobody thought to question the panel on their admission that they'd be less likely to help a man who had collapsed in the street. Brenda's story is evidence that you could save a life by doing so.'

While another added: 'What am I watching. Popped on some loose women and sat here for a good 5 minutes how some of the presenters (female) wouldn't help a man if they collapsed but they would if it was a woman.'

Saira Khan said she'd like to think she would help, but added she felt uneasy at the idea of helping men

Some viewers pointed out that a stranger had helped Brenda's brother, yet she would not do the same

Another person said: 'Absolutely shocked that people might not help a stranger who was collapsed in the street.

And someone else tweeted: 'Not really setting a good example by saying they wouldn’t go and help someone if they were in need because they wouldn’t know what to do?

'Well 1) doing something is better than doing nothing and 2) start with ringing an ambulance?'

One shocked viewer added: 'Cannot believe that on loose women they’ve just said if they saw someone collapsed in the street, they wouldn’t help if it was a man cos it’s “weird.” Is that a joke?!'

Carol McGiffin said she would be nervous about helping strangers because she thinks some Londoners are just scammers

Other viewers pointed out the panelists were not setting a good example, while some said calling an ambulance would already be a start

'Imagine if a man said “I’d help a bloke if they collapsed but I wouldn’t help a woman.”'

While another said: 'Can't believe these woman not prepared to help a stranger on the street.'

One person said that they hoped the panelists never found themselves in a situation where they counted on a stranger to step in.

They said: 'I hope I never collapse in the street and have to rely on you lot for help!'

Brenda Edwards said she would not know how to help a stranger on the street, even though her brother's life was saved by one

Others said that saying you wouldn't know what to do is no excuse for not helping someone in need.

One person said: 'Saying you wouldn't know what to do is no excuse. Find out!! There are plenty of adverts showing how to give CPR. And just sitting with someone until the professionals get there is kind. We need more kindness.'

Singer and West End actress Brenda revealed on the show that her brother had been walking to his car at the time of his heart attack and the last thing he remembered was seeing a man with blonde hair.

Osborne was dead for 15 minutes and the stranger gave him CPR on the side of Midland Road in the St Philips area of the city.

Brenda said: 'If he had gotten into his car people would have thought he was sleeping. He died three times, twice on the pavement and once in the ambulance.

'Although he was put into a coma and had an operation he's still alive. I don't know who the person who helped is.

'I called the ambulance service, but they couldn't give out the information. I want to thank them as without them he wouldn't be here today.'

However, even after this shocking tale, Edwards said she herself would not help a stranger, because she 'wouldn't know how.'