Lorraine Kelly has confirmed her show break.
The 66-year-old presenter returned to her ITV show on Friday (July 3), where she interviewed Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton and discussed Taylor Swift’s wedding alongside entertainment reporter Ross King.
Wrapping up the live broadcast, Lorraine said: “That’s all from us for now. I am away for a wee while. I’ll really miss you, but I will see you very, very soon.”
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info
This follows numerous alterations to the programme, in the wake of ITV cutbacks last year. Lorraine was slashed from an hour to 30 minutes as part of the changes, with GMB being extended by half an hour to fill the gap.
Lorraine, which previously ran for nearly the entire year, now only broadcasts for 30 weeks out of 52. Loose Women has similarly been reduced to 30 weeks annually, though it has stayed in its existing daytime slot.
Kevin Lygo, the managing director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division, previously stated that the broadcaster was undergoing a “transition”.
He said: “I recognise that our plans will have an impact on staff on-screen in our Daytime production teams. We will work with ITV studios and ITN as they manage these changes to produce the shows differently from next year, and support them through this transition.
“Daytime has been a core element of ITV’s schedule for over 40 years and these changes will set ITV up to continue to bring viewers award-winning news, views and discussion as we enter our eighth decade.”
Lorraine’s upcoming break isn’t the only shake-up to ITV’s daytime line-up in recent weeks, as Susanna Reid has been noticeably absent from GMB.
The presenter revealed that she had a “special project” to work on, following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation announcement last month. Fans were quick to express their disappointment across social media, with one viewer writing: “You will be missed Susanna.” Another added: “Oh it’s never the same when you’re not there!”
Viewers will be delighted to learn that Susanna is set to return to the GMB studio on Monday, 6 July, as the programme extends its run during Lorraine’s hiatus.
