Lorraine Kelly fans share concern for TV host amid claims 'she's no longer ITV's grande dame'

Lorraine Kelly fans shared their dismay the host's programme is to be cut to just 30 minutes by ITV.

The self-titled breakfast show has fallen victim to a raft of changes by ITV, which will also see Good Morning Britain (GMB) extended for 30 minutes each weekday from January. Lorraine's show has been a staple in the morning slot for the last 15 years, and features a variety of segments on topics including fashion, health and showbiz.

But an insider said Lorraine, 65, has lost the "iron fist" with which she used to rule, and instead ITV bosses look more favourably at other presenters, including Susanna Reid on GMB. Lorraine fans have, though, reacted with sadness - and concern - at the network's shock announcement.

One posted on social media: "Nooo, I would rather watch Lorraine than Good Morning Britain." Another stated: "I like Lorraine but Good Morning Britain is so rubbish."

The insider told Mail Online: "She’s the grande dame of ITV, or perhaps she thought she was. She used to rule that show with an iron fist and what she said went, but recently she hasn’t been there." The source also pointed out Lorraine, from Glasgow, presented fewer than 60 per cent of the editions of the programme broadcast in 2024, leaving the likes of Christine Lampard and Ranvir Singh to cover for her.

Lorraine took a break recently to recover from an operation that removed her fallopian tubes and ovaries but viewers were delighted to see the host return last Monday. They also stated they are disappointed to lose more of their servings of the Scot's breakfast programme - or face seeing it vanish altogether.

One viewer posted: "I record Lorraine and watch bits I'm interested in without ad breaks, but 30 mins won't even be worth watching." Another said: "It's all so brutal." Others shared worry for the experienced presenter herself, with one post reading: "Can't imagine Lorraine will be very happy about this."

The programme will also, from January, air just 30 weeks of the year, a cut from the full 52 also cast upon Loose Women. During the weeks Lorraine is not on air, GMB will run from 6am to 10am.

The changes, therefore, only play into the hands of the GMB team, if anyone, the source stressed. They added: "Susanna (Reid) is the favoured one. The bosses are besotted with her and they wanted to give her more and more. At the same time it was increasingly obvious that Lorraine wasn’t there. She had a show named for her which has been going for 15 years but it actually became more hassle than it was worth to keep having to sort out cover for her."

Announcing the tweaks, ITV admitted "savings" will be generated but insisted it will "continue to deliver a schedule providing viewers with the news, debate and discussion they love from the presenters they know and trust".