Television host Lorraine Kelly was left visibly uncomfortable on her Thursday morning programme as a discussion between guest Piers Morgan and Dr Amir Khan descended into a furious clash over trans rights and women's spaces.
On-Air Chaos Erupts
The normally calm atmosphere of Lorraine was shattered when the conversation turned to the new legal guidance on single-sex spaces. Piers Morgan, known for his provocative style, and Dr Amir engaged in a heated exchange that saw them repeatedly speaking over each other and the show's host.
Lorraine Kelly, 65, found herself completely drowned out as the argument intensified. Viewers watching the live broadcast took to social media platform X to comment on the unfolding drama, with many noting that the veteran presenter looked 'very uncomfortable' as she appeared to 'lose control' of her own breakfast programme.
One viewer wrote: 'Piers Morgan causing havoc on Lorraine. The producers are probably having a meltdown.' Another added: 'Piers Morgan running riot on Lorraine,' while a third commented: 'Save Dr Amir!! This is a live assassination.'
ITV Cutbacks Discussion
Earlier in the programme, Piers had joked about what he called ITV's 'savage' cutbacks after learning that Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley had ended their programme. When Lorraine quipped that Piers could take over from her, he mimicked: 'Hi Kate, Hi Richard - do you miss me?'
The discussion turned to the significant changes affecting ITV's daytime schedule. Lorraine's broadcast has been reduced from one hour to 30 minutes each episode and will now only broadcast 30 weeks a year, with the same applying to Loose Women.
These changes are part of wider restructuring that will see the production teams for This Morning, Lorraine, and Loose Women merge to share resources. The network announced in May that it was cutting 220 jobs, a move Lorraine previously described as 'heartbreaking'.
Talent Reaction and Financial Context
Top TV talent including Lorraine were believed to be 'furious' and 'insulted' over the shakeup. Loose Women panelists are already fearing inevitable job losses, with presenter Kaye Adams revealing she was having 'sleepless nights' about the changes.
Kate Garraway said 'it's not fun' to see such sweeping change, while former Loose Women presenter Sherrie Hewson called the decision 'cruel', describing the panel's daily talk show as a 'lifeline' for many lonely people.
Despite the cutbacks, ITV Studios, which produces shows like I'm A Celebrity..., generated £1,350 million in revenue over the nine months to September this year, demonstrating the continued financial success of its reality programming division.
