Lorraine Kelly 'set for major career pivot' as ITV future hangs in the balance due to major daytime cuts

Lorraine Kelly weighs in on Angela Rayner tax scandal

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ITV

Lydia Davies

By Lydia Davies


Published: 31/05/2026

- 18:08

The presenter is allegedly considering YouTube and podcast projects after major daytime cuts

Lorraine Kelly has allegedly declined to sign a fresh contract with ITV following significant reductions to her morning programme.

The 66-year-old television veteran is said to be unhappy after her daytime show was cut from 60 minutes to just 30 minutes earlier this year, while her annual broadcasting schedule was reduced from 52 weeks to 30.


The presenter is understood to be deeply dissatisfied with the sweeping changes, which also resulted in several trusted members of her production team losing their jobs.

With her current deal due to expire next year, sources suggest Ms Kelly is now focused on establishing new ventures beyond the broadcaster where she has worked for more than four decades.

Lorraine Kelly

Lorraine Kelly has worked in TV for over four decades

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GETTY

The cutbacks formed part of wider job losses affecting more than 220 staff across ITV's daytime programming, including Good Morning Britain, This Morning and Loose Women.

Sources say the Scotland-based star is seeking guidance from former ITV colleagues, as she explores launching her own digital platform.

A source told The Sun: "Lorraine has been secretly planning her next big project away from ITV for ages.

She's seen the incredible success of YouTube interview series. All the big names are doing them, like her pal Piers Morgan."

Lorraine Kelly

Ms Kelly is said to be in talks with previous ITV presenters

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ITV Lorraine Kelly

Ms Kelly is said to be attracted to the prospect of working independently, with the ability to film content from home and set her own schedule.

The source added that she has been discussing potential projects with former colleagues who were let go during ITV's restructuring and with whom she remains close.

Another venture allegedly in development is a podcast with her daughter Rosie, 31, who published a book titled Mother to Mother following the arrival of her first child, Billie.

The proposed audio series would share the same name as Rosie's publication and feature celebrity mothers as guests.

Lorraine Kelly and Rosie Smith

Lorraine Kelly with daughter Rosie Smith

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GETTY


According to sources, the project has reached advanced planning stages, with one of Ms Kelly's former team members assisting with preparations.

A source explained: "One of the other ideas they have is that Lorraine joins Rosie for a new podcast called Mother To Mother, after the success of Rosie's book.

They would love to host it together with celebrity mum guests and they are in advanced planning stages."

The presenter is also said to want more time with her daughter and granddaughter without the demands of regular travel to London.

Despite reports she is planning a future away from ITV, Ms Kelly's representatives have pushed back against suggestions she intends to leave the broadcaster.

Her team told The Sun: "Lorraine has no plans to move away from her show, and any podcast activities would be part of a portfolio, as we see with so many other top broadcasters complementary to her show, which remains her absolute priority."

The statement suggests any future projects would sit alongside her television work rather than replace it, following a model adopted by a number of high-profile broadcasters.

Lorraine KellyLorraine Kelly is a well-known TV presenter | PA

GB News has reached out to Ms Kelly for comment.

Ms Kelly first appeared on television in the 1980s and became one of GMTV's original presenters when the programme launched in 1993.

She has remained a fixture of ITV's daytime schedule ever since, with her flagship programme continuing through various iterations of the broadcaster's breakfast and daytime output.