‘I’m a massive fan of Lorraine Kelly – it’s an honour to fill in for her,’ says BBC Breakfast star Louise Minchin

Former BBC Breakfast star Louise Minchin has said she’d jump at the chance to fill in for Lorraine Kelly, the next time she’s unavailable to host her hit ITV show.

Lorraine, 63, sometimes misses her presenting slot on the daytime show when other commitments pop up, but it’s often her ITV co-stars Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard who step in for the star.

However, Louise, 55, recently returned to breakfast TV as she filled in for Lorraine on her namesake ITV programme, usually hosted by the Scottish broadcaster on weekdays at 9am.

The Masterchef star said it’s an “honour” to present the programme”. Speaking exclusively to OK!, she gushed: “I’m a massive fan of Lorraine’s. She’s a legend and I absolutely love her programme.

“I feel really honoured to be able to step into her shoes when she’s not there and I’m very happy to do so again.



Louise loved her time on Lorraine
Louise loved her time on Lorraine



The presenter said she'd return to the show in a heartbeat
The presenter said she’d return to the show in a heartbeat

“They’re a great team. It’s a great programme and it’s made up of good news. After 25 years of presenting bad news, it’s an absolute joy to be able to do.”

She added: “It’s not as early as BBC Breakfast, which is great as I like to sleep late! If they ask me again, I’m definitely going to say yes.”

Louise announced her departure from the BBC morning show in June 2021, citing the early starts as one of her reasons for leaving.

At the time, she said: “I have absolutely loved being part of the six million-strong BBC Breakfast family but, after nearly two decades presenting the programme, I have decided it is time I stopped setting my alarm for 03.40 in the morning.”



Louise announced her BBC Breakfast departure in June 2021
Louise announced her BBC Breakfast departure in June 2021

The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star has teamed up with Intrepid Travel to call for more female-fronted travel shows after its research showed only 26 of 101 travel and adventure TV programmes include a female presenter.

“Women are adventurous and I just think it’s a great shame that we don’t see ourselves represented on TV in the way that men are,” explains Louise, who is married to David Minchin, a successful restauranteur and investor.

“I’ve been thinking about female travel show presenters and one exception to the rule is Joanna Lumley. What a brilliant role model she is. She’s so funny, I love watching her.

“She’s so incisive and open to conversations – she’s utterly brilliant; we should have more Joanna Lumley shows anyway!”



The BBC Breakfast star wants to see more women fronting travel programmes
The BBC Breakfast star wants to see more women fronting travel programmes

Intrepid Travel’s findings come in the wake of news that Paddy McGuinness and Gary Barlow are set to host new travel shows this autumn, airing across the BBC and ITV respectively.

Louise says while she’s “delighted” for Gary and Paddy, she’d like to see a woman recruited alongside them to offer a different perspective.

“Different types of people have different conversations, so let’s bring women into the conversation as well,” she adds.

However, Louise insists you don’t have to go abroad to have a great adventure.

“Some of my greatest adventures have been in the UK. You don’t have to get on an aeroplane. We’ve got the Peak District and Lake District in England for amazing walks, in Wales there’s Offa’s Dyke.

“And let’s face it, in the UK, the weather can change very, very quickly and it can be a very challenging environment, which provides that great sense of achievement.



‘I’m a massive fan of Lorraine Kelly – it’s an honour to fill in for her,’ says BBC Breakfast star Louise Minchin
Louise has an insatiable appetite for adventure

“Cornwall is my favourite place because I love swimming. One of my favourite times to visit Cornwall is mid-February, when the weather’s brutal and the wind and the seas are raging.”

The Celebrity Masterchef star has raised her daughters with the same passion for exploration, with eldest Mia completing the London Marathon alongside her last year.

And although they’re grown up, Mia, 22, and Scarlett, 19, still join mum and dad for family holidays.

“One of my favourite places to go, further afield, is Sri Lanka. We’ve been there recently as a family and went surfing. I’ve only really taken it up recently.

“I’ve always tried to instil in my daughters a kind of sense of adventure and we’ve always been on quite adventurous holidays, so now we’ve started surfing together, which is really fun. We’re still at the same level. But I know what’s gonna happen from now on,” she laughs, “I’m going to be trying to keep up with them!”

Louise’s story featured as part of Intrepid Travel’s free AdventurHER Exhibition highlighting the incredible stories of female adventurers from around the world

View news Source: https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/im-massive-fan-lorraine-kelly-32616933

Scroll to Top