Mum’s mantra has always been don’t save things for best, every day should be your best. She’ll wear her Chanel No. 5 every day, even putting the bins out. I can’t wait to hug her again and smell that perfume – Presenter Lorraine Kelly
Chat show queen Lorraine Kelly salutes her inspirational mum for her everyday wisdom, inspiration and encouragement
Millions of viewers may tune in every morning to hear the views from her TV sofa but one opinion matters most to Lorraine Kelly.
And, on Mother’s Day, the TV host has paid tribute to her mum Anne for, among many, many other things, her honest reviews.
“Mum is so proud of me,” Lorraine said. “But, like all mums, she tells the truth. She watches the show every day with her cup of tea and we always catch up on the phone after.
“She’ll often say, ‘why didn’t you ask this question?’ or ‘I liked that dress’ or ‘I didn’t like your outfit today! She isn’t scared to say what she thinks. But I welcome that. I value her opinion. ”
Anne, who still lives in East Kilbride where Lorraine grew up, has been a huge inspiration to her daughter throughout her career, motherhood and life in general.
“My mum is amazing,” Lorraine said. “I just can’t imagine life without her.”
The last eight months have been tough for the popular ITV presenter who, living more than 400 miles away in London, hasn’t seen her mum due to coronavirus restrictions. And today, on Mothering Sunday, the pair, like much of the nation, will have to rely on a video call to mark the occasion.
“Traditionally I would come up or mum would come down and we would go for a nice day out, but not this year,” Lorraine said.
“I’ll send flowers and some nice chocolates, but, because we’re not allowed to travel, we won’t see each other. It’s hard, but we need to stick to the rules. I’m just hoping we can make up for it later in the year.
“That first hug will be a big thing for us. I can’t wait. It will certainly be emotional to reconnect.”
When restrictions eased a little in the summer, Lorraine and daughter Rosie came to Scotland to visit parents Anne and John.
“Rosie had just come back from three years in Singapore so we went up to see mum and dad,” Lorraine said.
“I have a lovely photo of mum, Rosie and I on a day out to Luss – and that was the last time we were all together.
“I’ve only seen my parents twice in the last year. In the summer and last March, just before lockdown.
“Mum and I chat on the phone every day and have a cup of tea together on Zoom. Thankfully she’s pretty tech aware which is fantastic. It’s great she’s really into all that stuff. It makes all the difference.
“The truth is there isn’t much to talk about apart from what you had for your dinner and what you’re watching on Netflix! All of our worlds have gotten quite small.
“At least we have been able to do that – but it’s just not the same!”
Lorraine, 61, and her mum have always had a strong bond, which she believes has been strengthened by their closeness in age.
“Mum was only 18 when she had me. She was just a baby,” she said. “When I was growing up, mum and dad were the trendy parents, listening to The Beatles, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones and Radio Caroline.
“Mum was always so beautifully dressed and always looked very glam with her Mary Quant-style make up,” said Lorraine.
“I always remember listening to Dusty Springfield with mum and trying on her clothes and shoes.
“She’s still very stylish. In fact, she despairs with me a bit because I live in jeans and sweatshirts. I’m definitely not as glam!
“She’ll be 80 in September but mum certainly doesn’t look her age and she doesn’t act it either. She’s always on the go with something, whether it’s German classes or fitness sessions. Every day is busy!”
Lorraine says it’s Anne she has to thank for her can-do attitude and her good skin.
“When people say to me ‘You don’t look 61’, it’s because I got mum’s amazing skin and bone structure.
“The best advice she ever gave me was ‘moisturise, moisturise… and moisturise some more’.
“And to make sure I take my make up off at the end of the day. With heavy make up for TV this is especially important and I really think it makes all the difference.”
Mum has always said you need to put the graft in. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her guidance
Lorraine, who recently celebrated her 35th anniversary in broadcasting, considers herself lucky to have been able to go into the studio throughout the pandemic to film her morning show, Lorraine, five days a week.
“It’s been great still having a routine,” she said. “We’re only allowed in to film, then have to do our meetings on Zoom chats, and research at home, but it has been a joy just to be able to do that.” From her early days as a journalist on the East Kilbride News, Lorraine has had a strong work ethic, which she also attributes to her mum.
“Mum has always said you’ve got to put the graft in. And I’ve definitely got her to thank for where I am today. I’ve had to work hard to get to where I am today, and that definitely came from my mum.
“She didn’t work full-time so she could be there for us when we were little, but she had Saturday jobs and worked part-time when we were growing up. She always contributed.
“And taught us well. In fact, mum and dad taught me and my brother Graham how to read and write before we started primary school. They weren’t pushy parents, they just wanted us to do our best.
“When I got a bit older, I would have been the first in the family to go to university.
“But I got a job on the local paper instead. I think my mum and dad were disappointed, but they never said anything.
“Graham went to uni so, of course, they got their photo of a child with the scroll and funny hat for the fireplace.
“And they have supported me in absolutely everything that I have done too.”
Lorraine is hopeful she, her husband Steve and Rosie can be reunited with her parents before the year is out.
“It’s mum’s 80th birthday in September so I’m hoping we can have a party for her. It was dad’s 80th last week but of course I didn’t see him for that.
“But we can’t let these things go without a celebration. There will be so much to celebrate when we are allowed to meet up again.
“I just can’t wait to hug my mum and smell her perfume again. She loves Chanel No 5 – whenever I smell it I think of her.
“She wears it every day, even if she’s just putting the bins out! Her mantra is don’t save things for best. Every day should be your best.
“And given the past year, I don’t think there could be a better mantra for us all right now. After all, mums always know best!”