Television veteran Lorraine Kelly, 66, has spoken candidly about the ups and downs of her year after her daytime show’s airtime was slashed from 52 to 30 weeks, admitting the change has been “really hard” at times—but also unexpectedly rewarding.
The ITV presenter, who has been a staple of British mornings for decades, revealed that while the cut has given her more free time, it has also allowed her to focus on other passions, including her latest novel, The Island Secret, the follow-up to her hit debut, The Island Swimmer.
Speaking to Best UK, Lorraine said: “At first, I wasn’t sure. Back at the start of the year, I thought, ‘How’s this going to work?’ I had to say goodbye to so many of my colleagues and friends—that was really hard. But now, I see the upside. I get to work for two-and-a-half months on, two months off. The show is shorter, but we still get so much in.”
Despite the changes, Lorraine has embraced the slower pace, enjoying precious moments with family, especially her granddaughter Billie, who she describes as “human sunshine.” She continued: “I’ve got so much more time and patience now. I don’t mind sitting for an hour reading stories, looking at a plant for ten minutes, or just watching a bee.”
Lorraine added that she’s also been able to dedicate more time to writing without the guilt of late-night deadlines: “Before, I’d say to my husband, ‘Sorry, we can’t go on holiday because I’m writing.’ Now I can focus on what I love, and it feels amazing.”
While the early months of the year brought uncertainty, Lorraine is making the most of her extra time, proving that life after long-running TV shows can be just as fulfilling—and perhaps even more joyful—than life in front of the camera.
