Broken Lorraine
Over a 30-year career, Lorraine Kelly has reported on some of the world’s most devastating tragedies. From the massacre of primary school children in Dunblane to the 7/7 London bombings, the 57-year-old mumof-one has remained a reassuring voice of calm and control through even the most traumatic of broadcasts.
But all that changed last week when the star reported on the first funeral of one of the victims of the Ariana Grande concert bombing.
Fourteen-year-old Eilidh MacLeod had travelled from Scotland with her close friend, Laura MacIntyre, 15, to see their idol. But both were caught up in the explosion triggered by evil suicide bomber Salman Abedi. Laura sustained serious injuries and, tragically, Eilidh lost her life.
Her funeral, held last Monday on the remote Hebridean island of Barra, saw the entire community turn out to pay its respects.
During last Tuesday’s Lorraine show, the presenter began her report by saying, ‘ Yesterday, friends and family of Eilidh MacLeod laid her to rest on Barra. The 14-yearold was taken from her home to Our Lady Star of the Sea in Castlebay for the church service, and her favourite Ariana Grande song [ My Everything] was played.’
But then Lorraine’s voice cracked, and tears filled her eyes. Clearly struggling to continue, she stuttered, ‘Break your heart. Break your heart, it really would.’
The show was quickly cut to a competition segment, but by the time Lorraine was back on air, she had gathered herself and was able to press on seamlessly.
However, those who know her say her struggle is a mark of how moved she has been by the recent spate of atrocities.
An insider says, ‘Lorraine is a tough cookie. But she is also a mum, and this story really got to her. She reacted in a compassionate and completely understandable way. It was seen as a strength, not a weakness.’
Comments on Twitter supported that view, with one stating, ‘Really feeling all this horrific terrorism. We are human beings and supposed to feel hurt. #Lorraine is only human, too.’
‘Lorraine is a tough cookie. But she is also a mum, and this story really got to her’