In a new video posted on her Instagram page, Lorraine Kelly, 66, addressed her absence from the programme, insisting that the hiatus isn’t because she’s currently unwell. She said, '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.' The specific illness or 'lurgy' she had has not been disclosed. She added, '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.' When exactly she will return to air after this hiatus remains unclear.
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. What prompted these schedule changes announced by ITV has not been specified.
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.' She continued, '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.' She also said in the video, '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.'
Fans and colleagues responded with supportive messages. Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden wrote, 'Sending all the love lovely lady @lorraine 💖💖💖💖 missed you this morning xxxx.' GMB’s Susanna Reid commented, 'Get well soon @lorrainekellysmith and loads of love ❤️.' An Instagram user @plum.355 said, '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.' Another user, @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😘.' How viewership numbers or ratings have been affected by the schedule changes is unknown.
Lorraine will air weekdays from 9.30am when it returns on ITV1 and ITVX. The exact 30 weeks of the year when the show will air have not been detailed.