Lorraine Kelly leaves ITV amid daytime budget cuts

Lorraine Kelly has hosted her ITV show since 2010 and is reportedly set to depart after her contract ends next year amid a broader squeeze on daytime programming.

Lorraine Kelly leaves ITV amid daytime budget cuts

Lorraine Kelly is reported to leave ITV when her contract ends next year. ITV has announced a tighter daytime schedule for 2026, with the Lorraine show reduced to 30 weeks a year and moved to a 9.30 to 10.00 slot. Kelly has fronted the program since 2010 and marked 15 years on air with a special edition last year. ITV says the changes are part of a wider effort to cut costs across daytime programming. A consultation period is underway to determine how savings will be distributed, and while Kelly’s current role appears secure in the near term, insiders say she is likely to exit after the remaining year on her contract.

The move could echo beyond Kelly to other familiar faces on morning television. The changes may affect stand-ins such as Christine Lampard and Ranvir Singh and potentially alter how often they appear fronting the show. Production staff across ITV daytime output are expected to feel the impact of the cost cuts. A separate report notes that Richard Madeley will continue to front Good Morning Britain for at least six more months under a short-term contract, while Susanna Reid’s position is believed to be safe.

The episode highlights a broader pattern in television where budget pressures push networks to trim hours and staff while preserving high-profile talent. The shift risks weakening daytime teams that rely on steady, collaborative dynamics and could test viewer loyalty to a leaner, less varied morning lineup. ITV’s approach raises questions about how profitable daytime programming can be kept without eroding the staff and behind-the-scenes roles that keep shows on air. If the consultation process concentrates cuts among junior ranks, morale and recruitment could suffer, potentially accelerating a talent drain in a competitive media landscape.

Highlights

The future of daytime TV will hinge on balancing costs with the people who make the programs.