Lorraine Kelly saddened by 'seismic' cuts
Lorraine Kelly has been left "disappointed" by the "seismic" cuts being made to her ITV show, particularly because of the widespread job losses.
Lorraine Kelly has been left "disappointed" by the "seismic" cuts being made to her ITV show.
The 65-year-old presenter's eponymous programme will be slashed from an hour to just 30 minutes a day, as well as be broadcast on a 30-week "seasonal basis" from January 2026, as part of ITV's budget cuts, with Good Morning Britain taking over the 9-10am slot for the rest of the year, and Lorraine is particularly "sad" about the changes because she will have to say goodbye to a number of staff members who she has worked with for years.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, she said: "I was disappointed, of course I was. This is the world that we live in now.
"Things have to change, I mean, I've been through so many regime changes in my life.
"For me, this is just another one, but it's seismic. The thing that has upset me the most is the fact that we've got this great team, and obviously, that's not going to be in place next year because jobs will go.
"Hopefully I'll be able to hang on to some of these amazing people - that's my aim. It's very, very sad. It really is."
As part of the shake-up, Lorraine will present the show five days a week, meaning regular Friday presenters Christine Lampard and Ranvir Singh will no longer be needed.
Dr. Hilary Jones recently revealed he is leaving his slot as the show's resident medic at the end of the year as part of the changes.
He told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "I’m still working there until December 31 and then I’m a free agent. It’s liberating from the constraints of a news programme presenter.
"I’ll probably come back as a guest presenter now and then.
"People are being very sensitive to the fact that some people are having to move on. A lot of people are being redeployed elsewhere or in the same role. ITV, like everyone else, are having to make changes."
As well as cutting the on-air time for Lorraine, ITV's budget cuts will also see over 220 jobs axed.
Asked if ITV is organising a leaving party for its employees being made redundant, he said: "It would be lovely if they did, but we will wait and see on that one because money is tight.
"Certainly, there are groups of us who feel we’re part of a family, so we will all be going out anyway, whether they pay or not.
"We are quite happy to dip into our own pockets.
"I think people at work know where they stand, and many saw changes coming."
