Fans of British daytime television have been left reeling as ITV’s beloved presenter Lorraine Kelly prepares for an extended absence from the small screen, marking a significant shift in the network’s daytime lineup. The 66-year-old Scottish television icon, who has fronted her eponymous morning show for over a decade, will be off air for nearly two months as she recovers from illness and adapts to sweeping changes in ITV’s programming schedule.
Lorraine’s absence, which began after she missed the Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6, 2026 broadcasts, was initially attributed to a “bad lurgy”—a particularly nasty bout of illness that left viewers concerned for her wellbeing. According to Mirror, Christine Lampard and Ben Shephard stepped in at short notice to host the show, while fans flooded social media with messages of support and concern. ITV soon confirmed that Lorraine would take a seven-week break from broadcasting, starting in early March.
Addressing her audience directly via Instagram on March 10, Lorraine reassured fans that her health was improving. “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 said. She went on to clarify the reason for her extended absence: “I will be off for a good few weeks. Not because I am not well, but because of course the changes to the show. 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. I hope to see you when I am back on air. I never take it for granted and I really, really, really appreciate it. Thanks so so much.”
In the caption accompanying her video message, Lorraine wrote, “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.”
The outpouring of support from colleagues and fans was swift and heartfelt. Susanna Reid of Good Morning Britain tweeted, “Get well soon @lorrainekellysmith and loads of love.” Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden added, “Sending all the love lovely lady @lorraine missed you this morning xxxx.” ITV’s resident doctor, Dr Amir Khan, chimed in with, “We love you and hope you feel better xx,” while Charlotte Hawkins sent her own well wishes.
Lorraine’s absence coincides with a dramatic overhaul of ITV’s daytime schedule, which has seen not just her show but also the long-running panel program Loose Women temporarily taken off air. As reported by woman&home, ITV has halved the airtime of both shows, now limiting them to just 30 weeks of broadcast annually. Since January 2026, Lorraine’s show has been reduced from an hour to just 30 minutes, airing weekdays from 9:30am to 10am. The changes have prompted speculation among viewers about the future of daytime television, with many expressing concern that these staples of the schedule might not return in their previous forms.
During the Friday, March 6 broadcast, Christine Lampard addressed Lorraine’s absence, telling viewers, “That’s all for today, Lorraine will be back in a few weeks’ time. Have a lovely weekend, we’ll see you soon.” Meanwhile, Loose Women anchor Kaye Adams acknowledged her own show’s hiatus: “It’s your last Loose Women for a few weeks. But we will be back next month! Until then, take care. Have a fabulous weekend and Easter, and we’ll see you very soon.” Jane Moore, another panelist, momentarily appeared emotional during the announcement, though she quickly clarified her tears were due to hay fever, not sadness.
The immediate cause for the schedule shake-up is ITV’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival, which will occupy Loose Women’s weekday slot for the week beginning March 10. However, both Lorraine and Loose Women are expected to remain off air even after the festival concludes, reflecting the new 30-week annual run. In their absence, Good Morning Britain will extend its broadcast until 10am, with This Morning taking over until 12:30pm, filling the slots traditionally held by Lorraine and Loose Women.
These changes are part of a broader trend at ITV, which has been grappling with shifting viewer habits, budgetary pressures, and the evolving landscape of television. Lorraine herself acknowledged the disappointment of the cuts during a November interview on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne. “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,” she reflected.
Despite the upheaval, Lorraine has expressed nothing but gratitude for her viewers’ loyalty. Her recent Instagram update received over 22,000 likes, a testament to her enduring popularity. She thanked her “top team and crew and all of the lovely guests who come on @lorraine to share their stories,” adding, “I will miss you but see you real soon.”
Lorraine’s career is one of remarkable longevity and resilience. She first came to national attention in 1988 while reporting on the Pan Am disaster in Lockerbie, before helping to launch GMTV in 1993. Her self-titled show, Lorraine, debuted in 2010 and has since become a fixture of British morning television. Over nearly 40 years, she has weathered numerous changes in the industry, consistently earning the affection and trust of her audience.
In addition to her morning show duties, Lorraine has recently pivoted towards travel presenting, with her new three-part Channel 4 series Norwegian Odyssey released in late January 2026. This move signals her willingness to embrace new challenges and opportunities, even as her flagship program faces uncertainty.
While ITV’s programming shake-up has sparked debate about the future of daytime TV, one thing is clear: Lorraine Kelly’s absence will be keenly felt by viewers and colleagues alike. Her warmth, professionalism, and genuine connection with her audience have made her an institution in British broadcasting. As fans count down the weeks until her return, they do so with a sense of gratitude for her many years of service—and with hope that she’ll be back on their screens before long, ready to welcome them once again into her morning world.