Lorraine’s chilly Shackleton trip

LORRAINE Kelly is to follow in her hero Sir Ernest Shackleton’s footsteps with a voyage to Antarctica.

A century after Shackleton’s failed Endurance trans-Antarctic expedition, Miss Kelly will follow the British explorer’s sailing route, taking in Elephant Island and South Georgia as well as Antarctica itself, all filmed and documented by the TV presenter’s cameraman husband Steve Smith.

‘I’ve always been fascinated by explorers and in Shackleton’s day Antarctica was like going to the moon,’ Miss Kelly said.

‘He was a remarkable man and I’ve been an admirer since childhood.

‘I will, of course, be visiting his grave, raising a glass and toasting “The Boss”.’

Miss Kelly might hope not to emulate her explorer hero too closely, however. Shackleton’s ship Endurance was crushed and sank under pack ice in a cold Antarctic winter, leaving the 28 crew stranded.

‘We’ll be on a ship and be very comfortable but the seas will be rough and could be stormy,’ she said. ‘Hopefully we’ll get to see lots of penguins as well as whales, seals and sea birds.’