ITV Announces Changes to Daytime Programming
ITV has confirmed that Lorraine Kelly will take an extended break from her show for nearly two months due to illness and programming changes. The announcement comes as Lorraine’s show, which has been a staple of British morning television since its debut in 2010, has been reduced from an hour to just 30 minutes, now airing weekdays from 9:30 AM to 10 AM.
Lorraine’s absence began after she missed broadcasts on March 5 and 6, 2026. During her time away, Christine Lampard and Ben Shephard have stepped in to host her show. Lorraine, who is 66 years old, expressed her feelings about the situation, stating, “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 also mentioned, “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 changes to ITV’s daytime programming were first announced in May 2025 and are primarily driven by the network’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival. As part of this overhaul, both Lorraine and Loose Women will now air for only 30 weeks a year, a significant reduction from their previous schedules. Good Morning Britain has extended its broadcast until 10 AM to fill the slots traditionally held by Lorraine and Loose Women, further altering the landscape of ITV’s daytime offerings.
Loose Women, which has been a fixture of ITV’s daytime lineup for 40 years, will also see its programming reduced as part of these changes. Kaye Adams, a long-time panelist on the show, remarked, “There is a reason to get tearful, it’s your last Loose Women for a few weeks. We will be back next month.” This sentiment reflects the emotional impact of the programming adjustments on both the hosts and the audience.
These programming changes have not only affected the show’s format but have also led to around 200 job losses in ITV’s daytime production. The network’s decision to streamline its offerings has raised concerns among employees and industry observers regarding the future of daytime television on ITV.
Lorraine Kelly first came to national attention in 1988 while reporting on the Pan Am disaster in Lockerbie, and her self-titled show has since become synonymous with morning television in the UK. With 591,000 followers on Instagram and a recent post garnering 22,000 likes, Lorraine’s popularity remains strong despite the current challenges.
As ITV navigates these significant changes, viewers and industry analysts alike are watching closely to see how the new programming schedule will impact audience engagement and the overall landscape of daytime television. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further adjustments or the long-term implications of these changes.