Lorraine Kelly Reveals Crushing Career Setback That Almost Ended Her TV Dreams

Lorraine Kelly, the beloved ITV host, has opened up about a devastating moment early in her career when she was told she would never make it in television because of her Glasgow accent. In a candid interview, the 66-year-old recalls being 'crushed' by the feedback, but she didn't let it stop her.

The Early Struggles

Kelly started her career by bombarding the BBC with job applications. She even applied for a position as a farming correspondent, despite knowing nothing about farming. Her persistence paid off when she landed a role as a researcher for BBC Scotland in 1983. However, her dream was to become a reporter.

The Harsh Reality

One day, she was called into the office by the 'big giant boss' at BBC Scotland. Expecting a promotion, she instead received a harsh assessment: her accent would hold her back. She was told to take elocution lessons. 'As you can imagine, I was really crushed,' she said.

The U-Turn

On the same day, Kelly went for a reporter role at TV-am and successfully bagged the job. This marked a turning point in her career. She stayed with TV-am until 1993, then helped launch GMTV. After a maternity leave setback, she returned to front a mother-and-baby segment and eventually launched her own self-titled show, Lorraine, on ITV.

Key Takeaways

• Persistence pays off: Despite rejection, Kelly kept applying and eventually got her break.
• Don't let criticism define you: The feedback about her accent could have ended her career, but she proved her critics wrong.
• Adapt and overcome: From a researcher to a top TV host, Kelly's journey is a testament to resilience.

Lorraine airs weekdays from 9.30am on ITV and ITVX.