Lorraine (TV programme)

Lore & Background

The first edition aired on 6 September 2010, with a preview on Daybreak showing a pastel-hued studio with a pink sofa. The first guest was actress Gemma Arterton, and the programme also featured an interview with actress Sarah Parish and a recipe by TV chef James Tanner. On 20 October 2014, the show was briefly taken off air after a fire alarm forced evacuation of the studio on London's South Bank; Kelly was about to interview eliminated X Factor contestant Stephanie Nala when the alarm sounded at 9:10 am, and the show did not return to air that day.

In February 2016, Lorraine's Top Tales launched as a competition to find a new children's author, with judges Nadiya Hussain and Tom Fletcher. In April 2018, the programme moved to BBC Studioworks' Television Centre, and in October 2018 it was announced ITV would not return to the South Bank. On 6 January 2020, the show moved to a 9:00–10:00 am slot. Production was suspended from 23 March to 10 July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Good Morning Britain was extended and Kelly hosted the final hour titled Good Morning Britain with Lorraine.

In May 2025, ITV announced major budget cuts, with Lorraine transitioning to a 30-week school-term schedule and being cut to a half-hour program from January 2026. In October 2025, Multistory Media took over production. The final broadcast from Television Centre was on 25 December 2025. On 5 January 2026, Lorraine moved to The H Club Studio with a new set and updated titles and graphics.

Reader's Guide

Lorraine has been a staple of ITV's daytime lineup since 2010, known for its mix of celebrity interviews, lifestyle segments, and competitions. The programme's significance extends beyond entertainment: according to Attitude magazine, Lorraine has 'provided a platform for LGBT people to share their stories,' earning presenter Lorraine Kelly the 'Honourary Gay Award' at the 2015 Attitude Awards. The magazine described the show as 'one of the campest things on telly,' and Kelly herself said the series is 'quite gay every day.' The programme has undergone several format and scheduling changes, including a temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic and a major reduction in 2026 due to budget cuts. Its legacy includes its role in daytime television and its cultural impact on LGBT representation.

Did You Know?

• The first guest on the programme was actress Gemma Arterton.
• On 20 October 2014, the show was evacuated due to a fire alarm and did not return to air that day.
• In May 2025, ITV announced the programme would be cut to a half-hour, school-term schedule starting January 2026.