Lorraine (Image: BANG Showbiz)
Dr. Hilary Jones is stepping down from ITV’s Lorraine as a regular presenter. The 72 year old GP’s final appearance on the breakfast magazine programme – fronted by 65 year old Lorraine Kelly – will be December 31.
This follows news that Lorraine’s airtime will be cut from one hour to 30 minutes, whilst also moving to a 30-week “seasonal basis” from January 2026, as part of ITV’s cost-cutting measures – leaving Dr. Hilary questioning whether the network has sufficient funds to organise a farewell celebration for him.
Dr. Hilary revealed to The Sun on Sunday newspaper: “I’m still working there until December 31 and then I’m a free agent. It’s liberating from the constraints of a news programme presenter. I’ll probably come back as a guest presenter now and then.
“People are being very sensitive to the fact that some people are having to move on. A lot of people are being redeployed elsewhere or in the same role. ITV, like everyone else, are having to make changes.” Alongside reducing Lorraine’s broadcasting time, ITV’s financial constraints will result in more than 220 redundancies.
When questioned about whether ITV is arranging a farewell gathering for departing staff members, he commented: “It would be lovely if they did, but we will wait and see on that one because money is tight.
Dr Hilary Jones has announced his exit from ITV’s Lorraine (Image: Getty)
“Certainly, there are groups of us who feel we’re part of a family, so we will all be going out anyway, whether they pay or not. We are quite happy to dip into our own pockets. I think people at work know where they stand, and many saw changes coming.”
Lorraine recently described the cuts coming to her programme “heartbreaking”.
There was speculation that the TV presenter was poised to depart her eponymous show after her one-year contract ran out, but Lorraine has maintained she is staying put.
The star – who works as a freelancer – told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I don’t see me going anywhere until people get fed up, you know? Until people say, ‘I’ve had enough of that one.'”.
“It’s really heartbreaking to split up the team. A lot of them have been with me for more than 20 years, and they’re my friends. I’ve grown up with them.
“They were babies when they started with me, and now they’ve got babies of their own.”
Lorraine confessed she initially found it difficult to accept the cuts to her programme – but the star feels more positive about it now because many of her team have secured new positions on different shows.
She revealed: “It’s been difficult with the cuts, it’s been hard. I’m a lot happier about it now, but it was honestly and genuinely all about the team. I wasn’t annoyed or angry about this for me. It was about the team.”
In May, ITV also revealed that from 2026 the broadcast time for Loose Women will be cut to 30 weeks instead of 52 weeks. evin Lygo – Managing Director of Media and Entertainment at ITV – disclosed the broadcaster will ensure its daytime programmes appear identical next year, though he acknowledged it will prove “challenging”.
Mr Lygo, 67, also rejected suggestions that the golden era of daytime television has ended at ITV, but emphasised there would be alterations to reflect the changing ways audiences consume entertainment.
