Television presenter Lorraine Kelly has recounted the profound shock and fear she experienced when she was informed she had been replaced on the show GMTV while still on maternity leave. Kelly, 66, described the period as "scary" due to the significant financial responsibilities her family faced at the time, including a "massive mortgage."

Kelly's comments were made during an interview for Saga's podcast "Experience is Everything," where she is set to take over as host, interviewing notable figures about their life lessons. She is succeeding the late Dame Jenni Murray in the role.

Reflecting on her time at GMTV, Kelly noted that seeing pregnant women on television was uncommon during that era. She mentioned Anne Diamond as a pioneer who faced public criticism for being pregnant on air. Kelly herself experienced some backlash, but the absence of social media at the time meant it had less impact.

Kelly was due to return to GMTV in September after welcoming her daughter, Rosie, in June, having taken only two months off. "I just got a phone call a couple of weeks before and they said, 'Sorry, we’ve got someone else. Thanks a bunch, but we’ve got someone else. So, thanks for all your work. Bye bye,'" Kelly recalled. This abrupt dismissal left her in a "state of shock."

During this period, Kelly and her family had recently moved south, adding to the stress of her unexpected job loss. To manage financially, she took on various writing assignments, including a column for a parenting magazine.

GMTV later contacted Kelly again, offering her a "mother and baby slot" due to sponsor interest. She co-hosted this segment with Dr. Hillary Jones, and its success led to her being offered her own show in January of the following year.

Kelly also touched upon her early career, attributing her television break to her coverage of the Lockerbie air disaster in December 1988. As one of the first journalists on the scene, she reported on the tragedy, a role that underscored the trust people placed in her during their most difficult moments. She emphasized the importance of ensuring individuals feel they have represented themselves and their loved ones with dignity when sharing their stories on air.

Her compelling on-screen presence during the Lockerbie coverage reportedly caught the attention of the boss at TVAM, who brought her to London to appear in their news hour. Kelly initially came for a week, commuting back and forth for years, and never returned to her correspondent role. She suggested that her unexpected transition into a hosting position, rather than actively seeking it, might be a factor in her sustained career.

Kelly also addressed recent cuts at ITV, which have affected her show. "Every show has been affected, every single one, particularly my show, because instead of running all year round, it’s now 30 weeks a year and it’s obviously gone down from an hour to half an hour," she explained. The most challenging aspect for her was saying goodbye to her team due to redundancies, many of whom she had known since they were young. This difficulty was put into perspective by the recent death of her father.

In personal news, Kelly and her husband, Steve, have been focusing on their health ahead of their daughter Rosie's wedding. After her husband's kilt buckle wouldn't fasten and Kelly realized she had gained significant weight, they committed to attending a twice-weekly gym class for those over 60, focusing on building muscle strength and balance. They also adjusted their eating habits, reducing portion sizes and cutting back on daily chocolate consumption. Kelly also stopped drinking alcohol, though she made an exception for champagne at the wedding. She now prioritizes a healthier lifestyle, including supplements, exercise, and walking her dog.