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ITV Cuts: Is Lorraine Kelly’s Show the Last Stand for GMTV’s Iconic Presenters?

BBG News

It has been 16 years since ITV closed the chapter on GMTV, a popular morning show that many British people watched while enjoying their breakfast cereal.

Although the main group of presenters continues to work, there is a real worry that the influential presence of the program’s long-standing leaders will quickly disappear once ITV announces plans to shorten Lorraine Kelly’s morning show by half an hour.

The choice is linked to Eamonn Holmes’ persistent issues with chronic back pain and Ben Shephard’s move to take on a fresh opportunity as the host of This Morning, having decided to leave breakfast television.

But where did it all go wrong for Britain’s best loved presenting team?   

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ITV CUTBACKS 

Kelly, who started her career in networks and first appeared as the host of Good Morning Britain back in 1984, has been hosting the program Lorraine (originally created with Kelly at its core) for over 15 years.

However, it’s believed that her association with the broadcasting network may be uncertain due to cost-cutting measures implemented by ITV, particularly in their daytime programming.

ITV Daytime executives revealed significant reductions today, including a six-month hiatus for Lorraine and Loose Women, and a 30-minute decrease in Lorraine’s air time. This decision has led to more than 220 job losses.

Kelly will experience the main impact as Good Morning Britain is set to occupy her 9-10am timeframe for approximately 22 weeks annually.

For the rest of the year, which is approximately the next 30 weeks, Lorraine will be hosting the show five days a week. This means that Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard, who have been stand-ins on Fridays, won’t be required for the program anymore.

Kelly, fresh from surgery and currently co-hosting with a team of well-known personalities, hasn’t made any public statements about the significant transformations yet.

Her show has also been slashed in half, now running for just 30 minutes from 9:30am to 10am.

According to sources from ITV, they’ve chosen to reduce funding for their daytime programming in order to allocate more resources towards producing more dramatic series instead.

‘It’s essential to cut costs, but we should ensure funds are properly allocated to appropriate productions. With prices rising everywhere, it’s crucial to review our spending habits.’

The source added: ‘Christine and Ranvir remain part of the ITV daytime family.’

This morning’s show, featuring Alison Hammond, Ben Shephard, and Cat Deeley as hosts, continues unchanged.

Today, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: ITV Studios will no longer produce Good Morning Britain. Instead, the responsibility will shift to ITN – the very same team that brings us ITV News. I can’t wait to see how they’ll bring their journalistic expertise to our morning show!

As a devoted follower, I’ve picked up whispers from within our ranks about growing concerns. There’s a strong sentiment that, should the caliber of our output start to wane, Lorraine might consider moving on.

It seems challenging to envision a scenario where standards don’t decline, and there is uncertainty about whether Lorraine would choose to be linked with such circumstances.

‘Lorraine and her team are perfectionists – it’s why the show is loved by so many.’  

2024 saw Kelly hosting only about 60% of her self-titled ITV show, with Christine and Ranvir frequently stepping in to fill the remaining episodes. This indicates that she was not the sole host for the entire year.

The conspicuous lack of Lorraine sparked a social media campaign titled ‘Find Lorraine Today,’ designed to keep followers informed about the daily host of the program.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I love keeping my audience informed about all things related to our shared interests. This includes providing ‘Bonus Lorraine’ updates whenever she graces other stages in her absence from her regular show. It ensures we stay connected and engaged with her vibrant presence even when she’s not on her own program.

At the end of the year, the account showcased its “Lorraine Recap,” highlighting that Lorraine only hosted 154 out of 258 episodes, amounting to about 59.7% of this year’s shows.

Remarkably, Lorraine’s record for consecutive episodes she hosted in 2024 was only eight shows.

On platform X, a chart showed that Christine had taken over hosting duties from Lorraine the most times, appearing in 52 episodes or approximately 20.2%, and Ranvir was next with 49 episodes, which equates to around 19%.

In the course of events, Joel Dommett and Louise Minchin each presented two shows (0.8%), while Andi Peters led only one (0.4%).

Or: Over time, both Joel Dommett and Louise Minchin hosted a total of two episodes (0.8%), whereas Andi Peters managed just one single episode (0.4%).

EAMONN’S HEALTH WOES 

Kelly’s ex-coworker from ITV, Eamonn Holmes, has raised worries due to his intensifying health struggles, as evidenced by him accidentally falling out of his chair during a live broadcast.

On a typical morning at GB News, the seasoned producer, age 65, was hosting his usual breakfast program. Suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, he lost balance and fell from his chair, with the live camera capturing this incident as guest speaker Charlie Rowley was speaking.

Holmes responded calmly with repeated ‘fines’ and gestures for them to continue, followed by a commercial break.

The show picked up again as Holmes shared with his fellow host, Ellie Costello, that he tripped due to the unsteady wheels on the studio chairs.

Just a few short weeks ago, I found myself in a harrowing situation – whisked away in an ambulance following a tragic fall at my humble abode in Weybridge, on the fateful day of May 2nd.

He posted a picture on Instagram showcasing the interior of an ambulance, captioned: “Unexpected adventure this morning… took a spill in the bathroom. Boy, does it hurt! A big thank you to the dedicated ambulance team.

Over the upcoming holiday, things didn’t quite go as planned for me…it seems life isn’t offering much ease these days.

Currently, TopMob outlines the long-term struggles the presenter has faced due to multiple health issues, starting with persistent back problems that dated back almost four decades.

Holmes now relies on a wheelchair, walking frame and crutches due to chronic back pain.

In 2016, when he was 55 years old, the presenter delayed getting a hip replacement surgery. Since then, he’s encountered several difficulties such as a dislocated pelvis and three instances of slipped discs.

He has previously opened up about his ongoing health battle on social media.

“Even on bright days, there is still pain,” was his Instagram post. He continued, “I sometimes struggle with the immobilizing disc issue and fear I’ll never overcome it, but I’m resolved to live a meaningful life… so please offer support, guidance or step aside if you’re negative commenters on social media.

In the year 2016, Holmes opted for a two-part hip replacement procedure, which took more than three hours to complete, with the hope of easing his longstanding back discomfort.

This surgical procedure typically entails swapping out problematic areas within the hip joint using materials such as metal, plastic, or ceramics, primarily aimed at alleviating pain and improving mobility in the affected area. It’s often employed for treating discomfort and restricted movement in the joint.

In 2018, the speaker was given another painful diagnosis, potentially causing blindness, following intense stress due to a contentious tax dispute worth approximately £250,000.

Shingles is an illness brought on by the varicella-zoster virus, which is a relative of the herpes family that many individuals get as kids and is also responsible for causing chickenpox.

As an overly enthusiastic fan, I’d put it this way: When the virus takes hold, it hides deep within my body, biding its time. But should my immune defenses momentarily falter, it springs back to life, ready to wage war once more.

Speaking about his health issue, the TV personality shared with The Mirror, “I felt like a defenseless lamb being led to its death; it was the most distressing, embarrassing ordeal I’ve ever faced.

I found it quite unsettling to witness it, as though it had been brutally hit with a baseball bat multiple times on my face.

Holmes’ chronic back pain started in spring 2021, which he said came out of nowhere.

Due to the intense pain, he ended up needing a cane for support. It wasn’t until later that he discovered what had been causing his unbearable discomfort.

The television host experienced three herniated discs in his spine, limiting the mobility in his right leg.

He mentioned that he had hoped the issue would resolve itself, but it didn’t. Consequently, he experienced significant loss of mobility in his right leg.

2022 saw Holmes undergoing spinal surgery, following his temporary leave from GB News, where he had been serving as a presenter.

His battle with chronic back pain started after a dislocated pelvis led to three slipped discs.

After his operation, he shared that even with physical therapy, his limited movement prevents him from performing routine tasks independently, causing him to depend on others for assistance.

After undergoing spinal surgery, he developed a weaker left leg. About fifteen days post-surgery, while still in recovery, an accident occurred: he tumbled down 18 steps at his residence in Weybridge and fell onto a harsh stone flooring below.

The terrible accident, as he put it, had the potential to take his life. It resulted in a fractured shoulder for him, and his legs grew even weaker due to this incident.

The devastating crash, which he described as potentially fatal, led to a broken shoulder for him and made his legs more feeble.

Or simply:

He narrowly escaped death in a terrible accident, but it left him with a broken shoulder and weakened his legs further.

A year following his spinal operation, Holmes opted for a spine and neck extension treatment in September 2023, as he was no longer able to walk.

He said that, following his spinal surgery, his condition had significantly.

‘I can’t run, I can’t walk, I can’t do anything except watch TV and eat’, he explained at the time.

RED MORNING, SHEPHARD’S WARNING 

In March 2024, Ben Shephard said goodbye to morning television shows, as he was hired to address the aftermath following Philip Schofield’s sudden exit from This Morning.

Initially, the presenter began working at ITV back in 2000. They presented the Entertainment Today segment alongside Jenni Falconer, and later on, they took over as the primary substitute host for the GMTV Today program.

After leaving his famous show, Sherlock Holmes took up a permanent role as co-host on GMTV Today, appearing every Monday and Tuesday, and also on alternating Wednesdays.

Moving forward with Good Morning Britain since 2014, I shared my mornings with viewers until recently when I decided to take a step back. Now, you can find me starting my day a bit later and exploring a fresh opportunity on This Morning.

The confirmation came through a unique promotion posted on This Morning’s Twitter account. In the video, the host was seen strolling along the recognizable set corridor of This Morning, adding a fresh image of co-host Cat Deeley to the wall. As he turned towards the camera, the picture magically sprung to life.

He mentioned that it felt incredibly unique and significant for both him and Cat to embark on the upcoming segment of This Morning.

It’s a privilege to be part of the team, alongside Alison, Dermot, and everyone else – both in front of and behind the cameras – who consistently put in excellent work…

Over the past decade, I’ve had the habit of rising early to greet our ITV daytime viewers on Good Morning Britain. Now, I eagerly anticipate my interactions with Cat.

Greeting our audience warmly whether they’ve just returned from dropping off the kids at school or wrapping up their morning rituals, offering them a steaming cup of tea and a delightful blend of elements that make This Morning such a cherished part of their day.

FIONA’S DEMENTIA BATTLE 

Fiona Phillips gained widespread recognition primarily due to her frequent hosting duties on GMTV Today and ITV’s Morning Program.

In 2009, she transitioned to become a regular host on the daytime talk show “Loose Women,” with occasional guest spots as the host of “Lorraine.

However, a devastating blow came her way when she learned in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the very same disease that afflicted her parents. Already, she grapples with occasional memory issues.

In a forthcoming book titled “Remember When,” Fiona will share insights into her life with Alzheimer’s, collaborating with her partner, ex-editor of This Morning, Martin Frizell. The publication is set to occur through Pan Macmillan on the 3rd of July.

She shared: ‘I want this book to offer a glimpse into the daily life of someone living with Alzheimer’s.’

‘It can be both daunting and perplexing, yet life continues to offer moments of happiness and significance. If you or someone close to you is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, I hope this book provides some solace. Please remember, you are not facing this journey alone.’

In the book, she will talk about initial symptoms such as memory lapse and confusion, and how these symptoms gradually progressed over time. Additionally, her spouse will provide his own account of the situation.

After receiving her diagnosis, she disclosed that she had been enrolled in a drug trial aimed at delaying her symptoms’ progression. She reports that this treatment seems effective for her so far.

Previously, Fiona shared with Women&Home that she is part of a medical study, and the indications so far are encouraging.

I’m participating in an innovative study aimed at discovering a potential cure for something. This research uses a novel medication as well as a placebo, and I’m unaware which one I’ve been given.

During my routine six-month examination in October, they administered cognitive tests to assess my current mental state. The results indicated that my cognitive abilities were similar to where they were the previous year.

I’m optimistic that the medication seems to be keeping the illness stable. I wouldn’t prefer being part of the study, but I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity.

There are potential complications like brain hemorrhage, but if successful, it might bring significant benefits.

Fiona, the mother of Martin’s two boys, left her fans in awe when she disclosed that, similar to her own parents, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

However, the star continues to act as if she’s not ill, feigning health to maintain her joyous lifestyle.

Though Mark, her spouse of 26 years, expresses concern when he’s working, she continues to catch up with friends over coffee and enjoys going for strolls.

Despite the recent events, I believe there’s still a fantastic future ahead for me. For now, I choose to focus on moving forward and keeping busy. I’m trying to push the past aside and minimize its impact on my life at present. There’s an abundance of experiences I want to have yet.

Martin often frets about my activities while he’s at work or out in the evening, and if I’m eating properly. However, it’s important to note that I’ve changed. I’m not planning on giving up. There are still many exciting things ahead for me to look forward to.

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2025-05-23 03:38

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