Lorraine Kelly has come under fire once again, and this time it’s for the way she broke the news of Kim Woodburn’s death live on air. It happened during Monday’s show on June 17, and to say viewers were unimpressed would be putting it mildly.
The 64-year-old presenter, who’s long been considered one of ITV’s daytime darlings, casually announced the passing of Kim, who died aged 83 after a short illness. Kim was famously known for her no-nonsense style on How Clean Is Your House? and her explosive appearances on Celebrity Big Brother. But if anyone expected a heartfelt tribute from Lorraine, they were sorely disappointed, reported the Express.
“Welcome back. Some news just breaking in the last few minutes – Kim Woodburn, who I’m sure you know, well she’s died at the age of 83. Famous of course for How Clean Is Your House? and her controversial time on Celebrity Big Brother,” Lorraine told viewers. She then read a short official statement: “A representative for Kim said: ‘It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness.’”
And just like that, it was back to business. “Right, it is ten past nine!” she said with a smile, without even a hint of solemnity. It was the sort of delivery you might expect when announcing a giveaway, not the death of a TV personality who had become something of a British institution.
Viewers were quick to slam the tone-deaf tribute on social media, with many saying it felt cold and dismissive. While Lorraine and Kim didn’t always see eye to eye — with their feud becoming something of a TV sideshow over the years — many still expected a more respectful handling of the moment.
The tension between them goes back to when Lorraine criticised Nigel Farage during his I’m A Celeb stint. She joked that he looked older than he was and made a sharp comment, saying: “Just shows you… you get the face you deserve!” Kim, never one to hold back, fired back during an interview on GB News, defending Farage and calling Lorraine out.
“Look my love, she’s a stupid, stupid woman. Let’s face it now. How old is she, 63? She’s like a child in a playground,” Kim snapped at the time. “Lorraine Kelly, you ain’t all that dear! You ain’t all that!” The moment went viral, and since then, it’s fair to say things remained frosty.
But still, many believe that professional standards should outweigh personal history, especially when reporting on someone’s death. Critics say Lorraine’s delivery lacked empathy, and her transition to the next segment was so jarring it felt almost surreal.
Despite growing frustration from some viewers over Lorraine’s on-air style and frequent absences, ITV seems unlikely to shake up the morning line-up any time soon. Yet calls are growing louder for a refresh, with names like Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard often mentioned as potential replacements.
For now, though, Lorraine remains in her seat, but this latest moment has definitely left a sour taste, and fans are wondering how many more slip-ups ITV is willing to overlook.
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