‘LET’S CUT OURSELVES SOME SLACK’

She’s been a cheerful companion for many of us in recent months – now TV’S Lorraine Kelly shares the secrets of her own support team and says it’s time we were all a bit kinder to ourselves

Cover star Lorraine Kelly shares the secrets of her support team and how she’s been coping

When we couldn’t see our families and friends for months, one woman managed to get into our living rooms almost daily and lift our spirits: Lorraine Kelly. At the height of lockdown, her reassuring warmth gave the UK – whether people were self-isolating alone or with immediate family – a daily dose of joy. Her weekday morning show

Lorraine reached its biggest-ever audience as viewers tuned in for some positivity.

While there have been big changes for Lorraine, 60, at work (socially distanced in the studio and also doing interviews from her living room), life at her home in Buckinghamshire has undergone a drastic transformation, too: she and husband Steve welcomed back daughter Rosie, 26, when she returned home to the UK after more than two years working in Singapore.

Lorraine opens up about the healing power of her Border terrier, Angus, her concern for TV colleague Kate Garraway and reassessing what is important in life.

How has it felt to be presenting Lorraine during lockdown in recent months?

It’s given me some purpose. I think we’ve tried to be as positive as we can in the circumstances, and focus on things that are uplifting. You want a bit of light in the darkness. It’s been lovely to receive feedback from viewers saying that it’s actually quite reassuring to see me every day, too.

How important do you think the role of TV – and its presenters – has been?

Daytime and breakfast telly both provide quite intimate relationships with viewers. I’m very honoured that people consider me to be like a friend, a big sister or even a mother figure, which is huge. I never, ever take that for granted. I think that, in these times especially, people ask themselves, ‘What would my pal think about that?’ We give people the facts and insight and we try to listen to as many different voices as we can. It’s a really turbulent time. At first, it seemed like we were all coming together and I still hope that is happening, but there are deep divisions that we need to somehow try to mend. I’m not saying that we can, but we can try our best.

How have you found having the whole family under one roof at home?

Absolutely fine. Steve plays golf a couple of times a week, and Rosie has been doing freelance work from home. It’s an adjustment, but what I think is really important for all of us is to have a bit of me-time. We all have our own space. You don’t

You only have one life, and you have to try to be as happy as you can

want to be living in one another’s pockets. Inevitably, you will start to get irritated by one another and I’m sure that’s happening everywhere. Everybody’s saying the divorce rate is going to be absolutely through the roof at the end of all of this.

What other long-term effects do you think we’ll see?

I think people are reassessing their lives, and that’s no bad thing – we don’t usually get the time to do that because we’re all so busy working and getting on with everything. It’s given us the opportunity to think about the future and prioritise what’s important. I’ve certainly seen a few of my friends in relationships who are thinking, ‘Do you know what? I’m not happy.’ It’s really interesting how that’s come about. You can’t be selfish about these things, but you only have one life and you have to try to be as happy and fulfilled as you can.

What’s it been like having Rosie back?

We’re really relishing this time; there’s never going to be another occasion when my daughter, who’s 26, will be with her mum and dad for this length of time, so we’re making the most of it. We’re doing exercises together online: she’s introduced me to yoga, but I’m not very good. She also does a lot of cooking and has competitions with her dad to see who makes the best curry.

I just do the washing-up! But spending time together and not doing anything has been lovely. When we used to go to Singapore to see her, we were always out doing things, whether it was sightseeing or having dinner. Now, we’re just ‘being’, which you don’t usually get when your kids grow up and leave home.

How has your dog Angus helped?

Just to have that wee beating heart in the house is really good. When my gran was still alive, we took him up to see her and all the folks in her care home, and their eyes just lit up. It was lovely to see. I don’t think you can overestimate the healing power of animals, especially dogs. They are smashing. They’re loyal and loving.

What’s he like?

He is a terrier, so he’s not a cuddly dog as such; although I cuddle him and he puts up with it. Animals are amazing. Angus will put his head on my knee when he knows I want to be a bit quiet; and when I want to go out, he’s ready and having a great time. He’s good for the soul, he really is.

Have you considered getting another dog?

I would love to get another one, but I’m just worried about how Angus would take it because he’s normally an only child. He wasn’t a replacement for Rosie when she went away, but he is the son that I never had. He’s so funny and so cute. He’s a wee character.

What else have you been doing?

We watched all of Game Of Thrones and I’ve introduced Rosie to The Sopranos; we’re just hanging out. There’s a lot to be said for not doing much. It’s nice to sort of get to know her again. I know that sounds a bit strange, but she has been away since she was 18: she went to university and then worked in Singapore for two-and-a-half years. I talk to her on the phone all the time, but it’s just different when you are with the person.

How have your parents been coping?

My dad’s not great: he has a lot of swelling in his legs because his heart and his lungs are not too good. But he’s hanging on in there and trying really hard. My mum goes to the shops and for walks, but my dad is really high risk, so he has had to stay indoors. It’s been really hard not being able to see them. Dad was hospitalised – for his other conditions, not the coronavirus – but he was in there by himself because mum couldn’t go to see him. It was hard for them, but it’s been like that for everybody.

How will you travel to your parents in Scotland?

I’ll probably drive and be hyper careful. I don’t think I’d be flying right now. Catching something and then giving it to my mum and dad is just unthinkable. I think anybody who has been affected directly by coronavirus, whether they have lost someone or had it themselves, is really

I don’t think you can overestimate the healing power of animals

aware of the dangers. Behind all the statistics are real people who have suffered. My friend and colleague Kate Garraway has been so strong. She pops into my head an awful lot. Her situation is so hard on her and her kids [at the time of going to press, her husband, Derek Draper, had been in intensive care for three months].

How have you looked after your mental health?

When we first went into lockdown, I had real anxiety and felt quite overwhelmed by it all. Back then, the news channels were on constantly, I was always looking at social media, and it was too much. So I now take a little bit of time out. The main thing that makes it better for me is taking Angus for a walk. He’s such a stress-buster. He comes into the room every morning before

I get up, around 5am, and he sits on my bed and it just makes me feel better.

What else helps you cope?

I find exercise is really good. I really miss my Zumba classes on Monday nights. I do it online, but it’s just not the same as seeing all the girls and being there. I didn’t realise I was so tactile. I don’t miss big things, like holidays or anything, I just miss little things, such as going for coffee or meeting someone for a wee chat – all the things we’ve taken for granted. It’s strange, isn’t it?

What have you learned about yourself?

I think this year has made me more appreciative. It’s made me realise how very lucky I am to do the job that I do, and to receive the reaction that we do has been quite remarkable. It’s actually made me quite emotional, to be honest. I’ve received emails, tweets and letters and some of them have really made me tear up because they’re so lovely. People saying ‘thank you for being there when I switch my telly on at 9am’ has made me want to just keep going.

As a reporter, you covered the Lockerbie bombing and other huge news events. How does this compare?

It’s different in the sense that we don’t know where it’s going. Normally when you’re covering a story, you have a rough idea about how it’s going to end. But this time, there’s been a lack of control. Also, I’ve been shocked by the ineptitude of those in charge; it’s actually very disheartening. I think people in Britain have been extraordinary and they’ve tried really hard and they have been let down badly. I’m worried about the long-term effects. When I go for walks with Angus and I see kids on their bikes, they almost shy away because they have been told about social distancing. I wonder what effect that’s going to have on them? I think there’s going to be an awful lot of work to do when things are back to whatever the new normal is. I don’t think it’s going to be easy.

Once this is all over, I just want to be with the people who mean the most to me

Have you embraced the quarantine weight gain?

Absolutely! The buttons are getting tighter and tighter on my dresses every day, but I’m cutting myself a bit of slack. I think we all need to do that. When this is over, I can go back to doing my exercise classes and being more sensible. Normally, I’d eat really sensibly during the week and let loose at weekends, but at the moment I’m eating as if every day is the weekend. Rosie has been making amazing cakes and puddings. She’s also made these fantastic energy bars with dates and oats. You’re supposed to have one a day, but I eat about eight of them in one sitting! I think lots of us are comfort eating.

What does the rest of the year hold for you?

We had plans to go to Africa and obviously we can’t do that, and we had planned to go to Singapore with my mum, but that won’t be happening, either. I would love to go to Orkney, but won’t unless I know it’s safe to do so. Mainly, I’m just hoping to see my mum and dad and get to Christmas. Hopefully, we’ll all be able to have a massive celebration. For me, it’s all about being with people you love. I don’t really care about the presents; I just want to be with the people who mean the most to me, and I think everyone will feel the same way. • Watch Lorraine from 9am on weekdays on ITV