Lorraine Kelly Opens Up About Marriage and ITV Show Changes
Television presenter Lorraine Kelly has candidly shared the amusing tale of how she managed to win the heart of her husband, Steve Smith, despite his initial lack of romantic interest. The couple, both aged 66, first crossed paths while working together at TV-AM during the 1980s. Lorraine, a beloved figure on British screens, revealed that their relationship blossomed during a filming trip in Glencoe with a mountain rescue team.
A Ninja-Style Romance
In an interview with Sunday Times Home, Lorraine recounted the pivotal moment: 'I got him terribly drunk and leapt on him like a ninja he had no defence, poor soul.' This bold move led to a lasting union, with the couple celebrating their 35th anniversary next year. To mark the occasion, they plan adventurous trips to Mongolia or the Falklands, which Lorraine humorously describes as 'like Scotland with penguins.' They reside in Berkshire with their 31-year-old daughter, Rosie.
Shared Passions and Travel Adventures
Lorraine emphasized that travel is a central passion for her and Steve, stating: 'Travel is the only thing my husband and I really spend money on. We love exploring.' They have visited Asia multiple times due to family connections and celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in 2017 by retracing Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton's footsteps in Antarctica. Their travels also frequently take them to Africa, including destinations like Namibia, Botswana, and Tanzania, as Lorraine prefers active holidays over relaxing getaways like the Maldives.
Keeping the Spark Alive
Despite keeping their marriage largely private, Lorraine recently disclosed the playful dynamic that sustains their relationship. She told The Mirror that they still 'fancy' each other, with Steve sending flirtatious texts during her show, such as 'Nice boobies!' when she wears daring outfits. Lorraine noted: 'That’s important too, all that malarkey. It’s not the main thing, but it’s important.'
Heartbreak Over ITV Show Cuts
In a sobering turn, Lorraine expressed deep disappointment over significant cuts to her ITV daytime show, which she has hosted since 2010. Announced in May, the changes include Good Morning Britain taking over her 9–10am slot for 22 weeks annually, reducing her show to 30 minutes from 9.30am to 10am for the remaining 30 weeks. This has eliminated the need for regular Friday stand-ins Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Lorraine admitted: 'I was disappointed, of course I was. This is the world that we live in now.' She described the cuts as 'seismic' and highlighted her distress over job losses within her team, stating: 'The thing that has upset me the most is the fact that we've got this great team, and obviously, that's not going to be in place next year because jobs will go.'
Anger and Resilience
Lorraine revealed she had an 'inkling' about the changes but was 'angry' on behalf of her staff, with reports suggesting up to 220 jobs at risk from ITV's daytime staff of 450. She prioritized saving jobs, saying: 'I'm a lot happier about it now, but it was honestly and genuinely all about the team.' Despite the heartbreak of losing long-term colleagues, she denied plans to retire, citing inspiration from older presenters like Janet Street Porter and Gloria Hunniford.
'Absolutely not. I am going to be toddling off that show in my Zimmer frame,' she asserted, dismissing rumors of an exit when her contract ends. Daily Mail previously reported that Lorraine declined an offer to merge her show with GMB, leading to the reduced runtime, and she has agreed to host until 2026 despite the challenges.
