Lorraine Kelly’s Health Update
“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,” stated Lorraine Kelly in a recent Instagram update. The 66-year-old television presenter is currently on an extended break from her ITV show, having begun her absence after missing broadcasts on March 5 and 6, 2026.
During Lorraine’s absence, Christine Lampard and Ben Shephard have stepped in to host the show. The changes come as ITV has reduced the airtime of Lorraine’s program to 30 weeks a year, with episodes now airing for 30 minutes instead of the previous hour. This adjustment is part of a broader strategy by ITV to streamline its daytime programming.
Changes in ITV’s Daytime Schedule
ITV’s recent scheduling changes also include the temporary removal of the popular program, Loose Women. In light of these adjustments, Good Morning Britain will extend its broadcast until 10 am during Lorraine’s absence. Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Director of Television, emphasized the importance of daytime programming, stating, “Daytime is a really important part of what we do, and these scheduling and production changes will enable us to continue to deliver a schedule providing viewers with the news, debate and discussion they love from the presenters they know and trust.”
Lorraine Kelly’s show has been a fixture of British morning television since it debuted in 2010, and her absence has been felt by fans. Lorraine first gained national attention in 1988 while reporting on the Pan Am disaster in Lockerbie, establishing herself as a trusted figure in the industry.
Audience Support and Future Plans
In her Instagram post, Lorraine expressed gratitude for the support she has received from her audience, noting that her recent update garnered over 22,000 likes. She reassured her fans, saying, “I will be off for a good few weeks. Not because I am not well, but because of course the changes to the show.” Lorraine is expected to return to ITV in April 2026, marking her comeback to the screen after nearly two months away.
The immediate cause for the schedule shake-up is ITV’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival, which has necessitated adjustments to the regular programming lineup. As viewers await Lorraine’s return, her absence highlights the evolving landscape of daytime television in the UK and the challenges faced by long-standing programs in adapting to new formats and schedules.
As Lorraine Kelly prepares for her return, fans remain hopeful for her swift recovery and eagerly anticipate her comeback to the beloved show that has been a staple of their mornings for years.