ITV Daytime Programming Changes
ITV has announced significant changes to its daytime programming, with Lorraine Kelly taking an extended break from her show for nearly two months due to illness and scheduling adjustments. Lorraine’s absence began after she missed broadcasts on March 5 and 6, 2026, and she is set to take a seven-week break starting in early March 2026.
During Lorraine’s absence, Christine Lampard and Ben Shephard have stepped in to host her show. This shift comes as ITV has confirmed that Lorraine’s show will now be reduced from an hour to just 30 minutes, airing weekdays from 9:30 am to 10 am. Both Lorraine and the popular show Loose Women will now air for only 30 weeks a year, a significant reduction from previous schedules.
The immediate cause for this schedule shake-up is ITV’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival, which has necessitated changes to the programming lineup. Good Morning Britain has extended its broadcast until 10 am to fill the slots traditionally held by Lorraine and Loose Women, reflecting a broader strategy to adapt to changing viewer demands and event schedules.
Lorraine Kelly, who is 66 years old, first came to national attention in 1988 while reporting on the Pan Am disaster in Lockerbie. Her self-titled show debuted in 2010 and has since become a fixture of British morning television, garnering a loyal audience. Lorraine expressed her feelings about her current situation, 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 also noted, “I will be off for a good few weeks. Not because I am not well, but because of course the changes to the show.”
The programming changes have not only affected the show’s format but have also led to around 200 job losses in ITV’s daytime production. This restructuring reflects ITV’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations and adapt to the evolving landscape of daytime television. The changes were first announced in May 2025, indicating a strategic shift within the network.
Fans of Lorraine have shown their support on social media, with messages such as, “Get well soon @lorrainekellysmith and loads of love,” from fellow presenter Susanna Reid. The impact of these changes is being closely monitored, with viewers and industry observers alike keen to see how ITV’s new programming strategy will unfold.
As ITV navigates these adjustments, the future of its daytime lineup remains a topic of discussion. The network’s commitment to adapting its programming in response to viewer preferences and significant events like the Cheltenham Festival will be crucial in maintaining audience engagement. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further changes or potential impacts on other shows within ITV’s daytime lineup.
With Lorraine Kelly’s absence and the restructuring of daytime programming, ITV faces the challenge of retaining its audience while implementing necessary changes. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining how these adjustments resonate with viewers and what the long-term implications will be for ITV’s daytime television landscape.