ITV has confirmed significant changes to its daytime programming, with Lorraine Kelly taking an extended break from her show for nearly two months due to illness and programming adjustments. Lorraine’s absence began after she missed broadcasts on March 5 and 6, 2026, and she will officially start her seven-week break in early March 2026.

During Lorraine’s absence, Christine Lampard and Ben Shephard have stepped in to host her show. This change is part of a broader overhaul announced by ITV in May 2025, which has led to a reduction in the duration of Lorraine’s show from one hour to just 30 minutes, now airing weekdays from 9:30 am to 10 am. Both Lorraine and the popular show Loose Women will now only air for 30 weeks a year, a significant reduction from previous schedules.

The immediate cause for this programming shake-up is ITV’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival, which has necessitated adjustments to the daytime lineup. As part of these changes, Good Morning Britain has extended its broadcast until 10 am to fill the slots previously held by Lorraine and Loose Women. This strategic move reflects ITV’s efforts to adapt its programming to meet audience demands and event schedules.

Lorraine Kelly, who is 66 years old, first gained national attention in 1988 while reporting on the Pan Am disaster in Lockerbie. Her self-titled show debuted in 2010 and has since become a staple of British morning television. Lorraine expressed her feelings about the break, 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 have not been without consequences, leading to around 200 job losses in ITV’s daytime production. This restructuring highlights the challenges faced by traditional broadcasters in adapting to changing viewer habits and the competitive landscape of television. The long-running show Loose Women has been a fixture of ITV’s daytime lineup for 40 years, making these changes particularly significant for its loyal audience.

As Lorraine prepares for her break, her social media presence remains strong, with 591,000 Instagram followers and a recent post garnering 22,000 likes. Fellow broadcaster Susanna Reid expressed her support, tweeting, “Get well soon @lorrainekellysmith and loads of love.” Meanwhile, Kaye Adams from Loose Women remarked, “There is a reason to get tearful, it’s your last Loose Women for a few weeks. We will be back next month.”

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term implications of these programming changes, but observers are keen to see how ITV’s adjustments will affect viewer engagement and the future of its daytime lineup. The network’s ability to adapt to these shifts will be crucial as it navigates the evolving landscape of television entertainment.

The post ITV Announces Changes to Daytime Programming appeared first on cottenhamnews.

“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,” stated Lorraine Kelly in a recent Instagram post. The 66-year-old television presenter has been absent from her ITV show for nearly two months due to illness and subsequent programming changes.

Lorraine’s absence began after she missed broadcasts on March 5 and 6, 2026. During this time, Christine Lampard and Ben Shephard stepped in to host the show, reassuring viewers of her eventual return. “That’s all for today, Lorraine will be back in a few weeks’ time. Have a lovely weekend, we’ll see you soon!” Lampard announced, providing a sense of continuity for the audience.

Since its debut in 2010, Lorraine has been a staple of British morning television, offering a mix of celebrity interviews and lifestyle segments. However, ITV has recently made significant changes to its daytime schedule, reducing the airtime of Lorraine’s show to just 30 weeks a year, with episodes now lasting only 30 minutes instead of the traditional hour. These adjustments are part of a broader strategy to accommodate ITV’s coverage of the Cheltenham Festival.

In her Instagram update, Lorraine expressed gratitude towards her fans, who have shown overwhelming support, with her post receiving over 22,000 likes. She acknowledged the changes impacting her show, saying, “I will be off for a good few weeks. Not because I am not well, but because of course the changes to the show.” This statement highlights the dual nature of her absence, stemming from both health concerns and scheduling adjustments.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Director of Television, emphasized 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.” This reflects ITV’s commitment to maintaining viewer engagement during the transition.

Lorraine Kelly first gained national attention in 1988 while reporting on the Pan Am disaster in Lockerbie, marking the beginning of a long and successful career in television. Her show has become synonymous with morning routines for many viewers across the UK, making her absence felt more acutely.

As Lorraine’s health improves, she is expected to return to ITV in April 2026. Until then, viewers will have to adjust to the new programming landscape, which includes the temporary removal of Loose Women and an extended broadcast of Good Morning Britain until 10 am during her absence. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further changes to ITV’s daytime schedule.

The post Lorraine itv: Lorraine Kelly Takes Extended Break from ITV Show appeared first on cottenhamnews.

“I will be off for a good few weeks, not because I am not well, but because of course the changes to the show,” Lorraine Kelly stated in a recent update to her fans. The beloved television presenter is taking a seven-week hiatus from her long-running ITV show, which has been a staple of daytime television for nearly 40 years.

In a significant shift, ITV has reduced the duration of Lorraine’s show from an hour to just 30 minutes, now airing from 9:30 AM to 10 AM on weekdays. This change is part of a broader reorganization of ITV’s daytime programming that began in January 2026, leading to over 200 job losses behind-the-scenes at the network.

Lorraine Kelly first gained national attention in 1988 while reporting on the Pan Am disaster in Lockerbie. She later helped launch GMTV in 1993 and has been the face of her self-titled show, Lorraine, since 2010. Her enduring presence on television has made her a familiar figure in many households across the UK.

In her announcement, Lorraine expressed gratitude to her viewers, saying, “I never take it for granted and I really, really, really appreciate you tuning in.” This heartfelt message comes as she navigates not only the changes to her show but also her own health issues, which she has openly discussed with her audience.

“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,” Lorraine shared, reassuring fans that her break is not due to serious health concerns.

During Lorraine’s absence, her slot will be filled by coverage of the Cheltenham Festival, a major event in the UK horse racing calendar, which will replace her show for a week. This scheduling change highlights the ongoing adjustments ITV is making to its programming lineup.

As Lorraine prepares for her time off, she has received an outpouring of support from fans, with her latest social media update garnering over 22,000 likes. “I want to thank you for sticking with me through all the changes,” she concluded, emphasizing her appreciation for the loyalty of her viewers.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding what the future holds for Lorraine’s show after her return, but the changes at ITV signal a new era for daytime television in the UK.

The post Lorraine itv appeared first on cottenhamnews.