Lorraine Kelly to Take Extended Break from ITV Show After Falling Ill
Lorraine Kelly has confirmed she will be absent from television screens for approximately seven weeks, following a bout of illness that has left her unable to host her self-titled ITV magazine show. The 66-year-old presenter revealed the news via social media, explaining that she contracted what she described as "a bad lurgy" and is currently recovering.
Last-Minute Replacements and Viewer Concerns
Last week, Kelly was notably missing from both Thursday and Friday episodes of Lorraine, which airs weekdays from 9:30am to 10am. Concerns from viewers prompted ITV to draft in Christine Lampard and Ben Shephard as emergency replacements. Fans had expressed worry after noticing Kelly appeared unwell on air, urging her to rest and recuperate.
In her social media update, Kelly expressed gratitude for the well-wishes, stating, "I am feeling a whole lot better. But this has been a bad lurgy. If you're going through it yourself, you have my sympathy. It's a tough one. But I am getting there." She clarified that her extended break is not solely due to her health but also aligns with ITV's scheduling changes, as the show now operates for 30 weeks per year.
ITV Schedule Overhaul and Show Adjustments
The hiatus coincides with a broader shake-up in ITV's daytime programming. As of this week, Lorraine and Loose Women have been temporarily removed from the schedules. Good Morning Britain will now air from 6am until 10am, followed by This Morning, which will extend until 12:30pm—replacing the usual slot for Loose Women.
On Friday, Christine Lampard addressed viewers, saying, "That's all for today, Lorraine will be back in a few weeks time. Have a lovely weekend, we'll see you soon." Similarly, Loose Women anchor Kaye Adams noted, "It's your last Loose Women for a few weeks. But we will be back next month!"
Outpouring of Support from Colleagues and Fans
Kelly's announcement sparked a wave of support from fellow broadcasters and celebrities. Susanna Reid commented, "Get well soon @lorrainekellysmith and loads of love," while Amy Dowden added, "Sending all the love lovely lady @lorraine missed you this morning xxxx." ITV's Dr. Amir Khan and Good Morning Britain's Charlotte Hawkins also sent their well-wishes.
In her post, Kelly thanked her team, crew, and guests, writing, "I will miss you but see you real soon." She emphasized her appreciation for the audience's loyalty amidst the show's format adjustments, highlighting her commitment to returning to air in due course.
