Lorraine Kelly’s Absence from ITV
“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,” said Lorraine Kelly in a recent Instagram update, addressing her fans about her health. The beloved television presenter is currently taking an extended break from her ITV show, which has been a staple of British morning television since its debut in 2010.
Kelly’s absence began after she missed broadcasts on March 5 and 6, 2026, and is expected to last for nearly two months due to illness and recent programming changes. During her time off, Christine Lampard and Ben Shephard have stepped in to host the show, reassuring viewers of Kelly’s eventual return.
ITV has recently made significant adjustments to its daytime schedule, which includes reducing the airtime of Kelly’s show to just 30 weeks a year, with episodes now running for only 30 minutes instead of the previous hour. This shift is part of a broader strategy to adapt to changing viewer preferences and programming needs.
In her Instagram post, Lorraine expressed gratitude for the support she has received, noting that her recent update garnered over 22,000 likes. She emphasized that her absence is not solely due to health issues, stating, “I will be off for a good few weeks. Not because I am not well, but because of course the changes to the show.”
The immediate cause for the schedule shake-up is ITV’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival, which has led to the temporary removal of the popular program, Loose Women. In response to these changes, Good Morning Britain will extend its broadcast until 10 am during Lorraine’s absence.
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Director of Television, commented on the importance of daytime programming, stating, “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.”
Lorraine Kelly, now 66 years old, first gained national attention in 1988 while reporting on the Pan Am disaster in Lockerbie. Her long-standing career in television has made her a familiar face to millions, and her absence from the screen is felt by many.
As viewers eagerly await her return, Lorraine is expected to be back on ITV in April 2026, bringing her signature warmth and charm back to morning television.