Dr Zoe Williams has spoken out about the significant changes at ITV over the past year, acknowledging that while her role on This Morning remains largely unchanged, the broadcaster has seen a lot of "ups and downs."
The 46-year-old medic, known for offering advice to callers on the daytime show, addressed the cuts that have affected ITV's daytime lineup. This Morning was traditionally scheduled between Lorraine Kelly's chat show and Loose Women, but both now air for 30 weeks a year instead of 52.
Embracing change at ITV
Speaking to The Mirror, Dr Zoe said: "There have been a lot of changes, but I think for the job that I do — not a lot has changed, really I'm given a topic often, or sometimes I come up with my own topics, I research it in depth, I go on the chair, and I share that information in a way that I hope the public can understand, and it is useful."
She noted that the team has become smaller but highlighted the positives of the new studio arrangement: "We're in the same studio now as Loose Women and Lorraine. So I get to see the Loose Women. I don't always get to see Lorraine because she's on before us so she's been through makeup and everything by the time I get there, but I do get to have a good gossip with the Loose Women, which is always a lot of fun!"
Dr Zoe also celebrated the show's recent National Television Award win, saying: "We even won the NTA and we were so happy because there have been a lot of ups and downs. But you can't underestimate how much that means to us on screen and the people behind the scenes as well."
Sleep and mental health advocacy
Away from her work on This Morning, Dr Zoe has teamed up with Dreams, Mind, and SAMH after finding that Brits experience sleep difficulties almost three nights a week on average. She spoke out in time for World Mental Health Day, aiming to improve the nation's sleep.
Discussing mental health openness, she said: "I think people are much more open. There's a lot less stigma. I actually think there are certain members of the celebrity community that have done a lot of work on being open and honest."
She referenced the death of comedian Robin Williams, who took his own life in 2014: "I think the sad loss of Robin Williams as an actor, the fact that we lost him to suicide, really did make people think, 'All right, okay, this really can affect anyone.' You can have everything in the world, and actually your mental health be so bad that the only way you can see out is to take your own life.' So, I think, and I think the way we communicate now is much different as well."
As part of Dreams' partnership with Mind and SAMH, Dr Zoe is shining a light on the link between sleep and mental wellbeing and encouraging the nation to take changes in their sleep more seriously. Further information and support is available through the Dreams x Mind Relaxation Hub, Mind, and SAMH's services.
