Lorraine Kelly has issued a message to her fans after ITV viewers spotted that her eponymous TV show was off air.
In May last year, the broadcaster announced changes to the live TV schedule on weekday mornings.
Whereas Good Morning Britain used to air from 6am to 9am, from January this year it’s been airing for a further 30 minutes, ending at 9.30am.
In the new schedule, Lorraine airs from 9.30am to 10am, while This Morning, which is hosted by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, is broadcast from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
The new changes also mean that Lorraine will only air for 30 weeks of the year, and on the weeks when it’s not on TV, GMB will run for four hours until 10am.
In a new video posted on her Instagram page, Lorraine, 66, addressed her absence from the programme, insisting that the hiatus isn’t because she’s currently unwell.
What has ITV said about the changes to the morning TV schedule?
When the changes to the ITV morning TV schedule were announced last year, Kevin Lygo, managing director of the broadcaster’s media and entertainment division, explained why they had been made.
‘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 as well generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres,’ he said at the time.
‘These changes also allow us to consolidate our news operations and expand our national, international and regional news output and to build upon our proud history of trusted journalism at a time when our viewers need accurate, unbiased news coverage more than ever.’
‘Hi there. Just want to say thanks for all the get well wishes. I’m feeling a whole lot better, but, oh, this has been a bad lurgy. If you’re going through it yourself, you have my sympathies. It’s a tough one, but I’m getting there,’ she said on camera.
‘I will though be off for a good few weeks, not because I’m not well, but because, of course, there’s been changes to the show, and we now do 30 weeks a year.
‘So I won’t see you for a wee while, but I want to thank you for sticking with me through all the changes, and I hope to see you when I’m back on air and never take it for granted. And I really, really appreciate you tuning in. Thanks so so much.’
In her caption, the TV presenter added: ‘THANK YOU for sticking with me through all of the changes to the show and for your kind messages.
‘I will be back soon and really looking forward to your company. Thanks to my top team and crew and all of the lovely guests who come on @lorraine to share their stories. I will miss you but see you real soon.’
In the comments, fans and friends of Lorraine’s shared more messages wishing her better.
‘Sending all the love lovely lady @lorraine 💖💖💖💖 missed you this morning xxxx,’ wrote Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden.
‘Get well soon @lorrainekellysmith and loads of love ❤️,’ wrote GMB’s Susanna Reid.
One fan going by the handle @plum.355 on Instagram explained that they don’t want GMB to be on for an extended amount of time, and that they miss Lorraine on their screen.
‘Really missed you this am. Prefer the hour long show. Can’t be doing with all the shouting etc on Good Morning Britain! Too early for that! Get well soon xx,’ they said.
Another fan called @lynne.ewart added: ‘Without you on morning TV there really is NO reason for us to switch on. We love you dearly, Lorraine, wishing you well and missing your lovely face that never fails to brighten up the mornings xxx😘.’
Lorraine will air weekdays from 9.30am when it returns on ITV1 and ITVX.
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