Lorraine Kelly is reportedly planning her next career move as rumours circulate that she may leave ITV when her current contract ends next year. The 66-year-old presenter's contract is said to be expiring, and she has not yet signed a new one, according to sources.
The speculation comes after her show was cut from an hour to 30 minutes in January, as part of ITV's daytime restructuring that saw over 220 job losses across programmes including Lorraine, Good Morning Britain, This Morning and Loose Women. Key members of Kelly's trusted team were among those made redundant, a move she is said to have been 'appalled' by, with claims that 'the show hasn't been the same since'.
Kelly is reportedly 'secretly planning her next big project away from ITV' for the first time in her four-decade career. Two new projects are said to be in the works: a YouTube show inspired by her friend Piers Morgan's 'Uncensored' series, and a podcast with her daughter Rosie, titled 'Mother To Mother', following the success of Rosie's book of the same name. The podcast is said to be in 'advanced planning stages' and would feature celebrity mother guests.
A source told The Sun that Kelly is far from retirement but wants more time at home with her daughter and granddaughter. The source added that an online format would allow her to reach a larger audience and generate more income through sponsorship and brand deals. Kelly is also said to be seeking advice from Piers Morgan and hopes to bring her former team back on board.
However, a representative for Kelly insisted she is happy on her current show at ITV, stating: 'Lorraine has no plans to move away from her show, and any podcast activities would be part of a portfolio... complementary to her show, which remains her absolute priority.' Kelly has been with ITV since the 1980s and is considered a national treasure, earning an estimated £13,000 per week.
