Beloved ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly has shared an emotional insight into her new career as a novelist, revealing the pivotal role her husband has played in supporting her creative journey.
From TV Screens to Bookshelves
The 66-year-old broadcaster, a fixture on British television since her 1984 debut on TV-am, has successfully transitioned from daytime TV to published author. Her first novel, 'The Island Swimmer', was released in 2024, marking a significant new chapter in her decades-long career which has included stints on GMTV, Daybreak, and her own self-titled show Lorraine.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live, Kelly confessed that seeing her book in shops or in the hands of readers is an "actually really emotional" experience. She described the intense writing process, admitting to making classic first-time author errors. "I overwrote. I threw everything at it, I had far too many characters in there and far too much going on," she said, explaining she had to pare the manuscript down significantly.
Husband Steve's Crucial Support
Central to her ability to focus on this demanding project has been the unwavering support of her husband, Steve Smith, whom she married in 1992. Kelly praised him for being "really understanding" during the long periods she spent locked away writing.
"My husband would give me cups of tea and biscuits and what not. He was really understanding and picking up the slack and going shopping and basically you know, keeping up with everything," she revealed. This domestic support, she implied, was essential for her to indulge in the necessary "wee bit selfish" focus required to complete the book.
What's Next for Lorraine?
Kelly's literary ambitions are far from over. She is already preparing to launch her second novel, 'The Island's Secrets', later this year. Like her debut, it will be set on the Orkney islands, a location she finds deeply inspiring. "I would be living up there if I could, take my whole show up there and just do everything from Orkney," she confessed.
Fans won't have to wait for the book to see her back on screen. Tonight at 8pm on Channel 4, Lorraine Kelly's Norwegian Odyssey will air. The programme follows her as she explores the Norwegian coastline, fulfils a dream of seeing the Northern Lights, and immerses herself in local culture, starting in Ålesund and finishing in Hjørundfjord.
This blend of enduring television work and a burgeoning new career as an author, bolstered by a strong support system at home, illustrates a new and fulfilling phase for one of the UK's most familiar broadcasting faces.
