Lorraine Kelly Issues Heartfelt Statement Following Father's Funeral
Television presenter Lorraine Kelly has shared an emotional update with her fans and followers after attending the funeral of her father, John Kelly. The 66-year-old ITV star, known for hosting her eponymous daytime show since 2010, lost her father in early January following a tragic accident.
Details of the Tragic Incident
John Kelly, aged 84, passed away after slipping on an icy path in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. The incident occurred on a Saturday morning, with staff from a nearby Tesco store discovering the injured great-grandfather around 7am and alerting emergency services. Despite their efforts, he died at the scene.
Lorraine took some time away from her hosting duties on ITV's Lorraine program following the tragedy. Upon her return to television, she was visibly emotional, fighting back tears as she discussed the difficult period with co-host Dr Amir Khan.
Funeral Service and Social Media Tribute
The funeral took place towards the end of last week, with Lorraine subsequently posting a heartfelt message on social media. She described the service as "simple and heartfelt," noting how attendees celebrated her father's life and his passions for astronomy, exploration, science, and Star Trek.
"We said goodbye to my dad on Friday," Lorraine wrote. "Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate his life. It was a simple, heartfelt service where we remembered his love of astronomy, exploration, science and Star Trek. A tough day full of sadness but also smiles because of so many good memories."
She accompanied her post with a picture of the funeral's order of service, which prompted an immediate flood of condolences from fans and colleagues alike.
Support from Colleagues and Viewers
Fellow ITV Daytime star Ranvir Singh, who regularly appears on Good Morning Britain, responded with "What a legacy Lorraine," while singer Aled Jones offered his support with "Love you pal x."
Viewers also poured into the comments section with messages of sympathy and encouragement. One fan wrote, "Sending you so much love. You have been so strong on the tv in the morning!" Another added, "Sending you and Your Family Much Love!" while a third commented, "I'm so very sorry. I bet you've got so many great memories tucked away in your heart."
Previous Health Struggles and Family Tributes
This was not the first health scare for John Kelly. In 2021, Lorraine revealed to the Mirror that her father had suffered heart failure, with the family fearing they might "lose him" at that time. "It was just awful – but he was amazing, he rallied," she said at the time.
She further explained, "This time last year he was in hospital and got out just before Covid started. He basically has heart failure. He also had a really bad scare and they thought he had lung cancer but it was just a massive, massive infection."
Following the initial news of her father's death in January, Lorraine posted a touching tribute on social media, highlighting how he had shaped her curiosity and interests. "My dad has died," she wrote. "I am mourning the man who bought me a telescope when I was five years old, who watched the moon landings with me and taught me to always be curious and interested in everything."
She added, "He was in poor health but it has still been a shock. Any of you who have experienced a similar loss will know how my brother Graham and I are feeling. Our priority is taking care of my mum and the family would very much appreciate privacy at this distressing time!"
Continuing Legacy and Public Support
Lorraine Kelly has been a familiar face on British television for over four decades, beginning with TV-am and GMTV before launching her own show. Her father occasionally appeared on screen with her, including during celebrations of her 35th anniversary on television.
The presenter's openness about her grief has resonated with many viewers who have experienced similar losses. Her return to television, while emotional, demonstrated her resilience and the supportive environment of her television "family," as she described her colleagues.
When asked by Dr Amir Khan how she was coping, Lorraine responded, "I'm ok and everybody's messages and cards, you've all been so kind. Everybody here of course, because it's a family, have been amazing. You just have to go through the process. Anybody who's been there knows how tough it is but it really does help, you really do see the kindness in people."
