Lorraine Kelly has revealed a TV boss told her she would never make it in the industry due to her ‘working-class Glasgow accent’ – but now she is set to receive a BAFTA Special Award.
The award-winning presenter, journalist and author Lorraine, 64, will be honoured with a BAFTA Special Award at the forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at the Royal Festival Hall in London on May 12.
The BAFTA Special Award is one of BAFTA’s highest honours, recognising an outstanding contribution to film, games or television.
Previous BAFTA Television Special Award recipients include David Olusoga, Nicola Shindler, Clare Balding, Idris Elba, John Motson, Henry Normal, Nick Fraser, Lenny Henry, Delia Smith and Cilla Black.
Speaking on the struggles she faced when starting out in the industry, Lorraine explained: ‘I was given opportunities that, sadly, have become almost non-existent. I went straight to my local newspaper from school and then to the BBC (after acquiring a bottom drawer full of rejection letters).
Lorraine Kelly has revealed a TV boss told her she would never make it in the industry due to her ‘working-class Glasgow accent’
Speaking on the struggles she faced when starting out in the industry, Lorraine explained: ‘In fact, I was told by the boss of BBC Scotland that I would never make it in TV because of my working-class Glasgow accent.’
‘In fact, I was told by the boss of BBC Scotland that I would never make it in TV because of my working-class Glasgow accent.
‘It was actually the best thing that could have happened: that comment spurred me to phone the boss of the relatively new breakfast TV station TV- am, who asked me to come down for an interview and then hired me as Scottish correspondent (Bruce Gyngell was Australian so didn’t have the same class prejudices reporter!)
She added: ‘The high cost of living and working now makes it almost impossible for working class kids from the rest of the country to accept a job in London. That has to change. There also needs to be more opportunities outside of London.
‘We quite rightly have stressed the importance of diversity in recent years, but that also has to include young working-class people who understand and can relate to the vast majority of our viewers. It is in all of our interests to make sure they have the opportunity to have their voices heard.’
On receiving the award, Lorraine said: ‘It really is an extra special award as it is coming from BAFTA and I feel very honoured. It will be such an incredible evening and I am really looking forward to it.’
Hilary Rosen, Chair of BAFTA’s Television Committee, said: ‘Lorraine Kelly has been a sparkling presence on our screens for over 40 years and is one of the most well-known and adored stars of Television.
‘On ITV’s Lorraine she displays a mastery of disarming guests with her warmth and relaxed approach and always manages to make the daily demands of live broadcasting look easy.
Lorraine was lost for words on Monday after being presented with a TV BAFTA Special Award while hosting her daily breakfast show
The presenter was surprised by Good Morning Britain anchor Susanna Reid , who interrupted the show to gift her with the award in acknowledgement of a 40-year career in broadcasting
‘She combines quick intelligence with genuine empathy, tackling tricky subjects with skill and sensitivity and uses her platform to raise awareness of things that really matter.
‘Lorraine has a deep and genuine connection with her audience and her longevity speaks to the unique importance of daytime television and its staying power. We are honoured to present Lorraine the BAFTA Special Award at our forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises on 12th May.’
Lorraine was lost for words on Monday after being presented with a TV BAFTA Special Award while hosting her daily breakfast show.
The presenter was surprised by Good Morning Britain anchor Susanna Reid , who interrupted the show to gift her with the award in acknowledgement of a 40-year career in broadcasting.
Kelly, 64, looked visibly surprised as ITV colleague Reid, 53, made her entrance shortly after she kicked off the week.
‘Good morning Lorraine, this has come as an enormous surprise,’ said Reid. ‘I have a very special announcement for you, Lorraine Kelly.
‘It doesn’t get much bigger or more deserved than this. I am here for a very special reason this morning.’
Brandishing an envelope, she added: ‘BAFTA will be celebrating your 40 years in broadcasting. Your programme is nominated in the daytime category, but I have something unique and special to you.
‘This is the first time something like this has been announced on air. This is the special gold envelope.
‘On behalf of the BAFTA board of trustees, we are delighted to offer you Lorraine Kelly the Academy Special award to be presented at this year’s BAFTA Television Awards.’
‘This is nuts! Where’s Ant and Dec?’ replied Kelly. ‘It can’t be a prank because it’s Susanna!’
Kelly looked visibly surprised as ITV colleague Reid, 53, made her entrance shortly after she kicked off the week
‘Good morning Lorraine, this has come as an enormous surprise,’ said Reid. ‘I have a very special announcement for you, Lorraine Kelly’
On her milestone 40-years in broadcasting, the Scots presenter recalled: ‘It’s crazy. I joined TVAM in 1984.
‘I was a baby, I got my chance in breakfast television because they were willing to take a risk on someone who was told I’d never make it to TV because of the way I speak.
‘The boss of TV-am was Australian and heard a Scottish accent and it was one of those things where it was like “Give her a go.”‘
Susanna added: ‘You’re an inspiration to me and women in broadcasting.’
Asa well as TV-am and her own daily breakfast show, Kelly has worked on Daybreak, GMTV, The New Paul O’Grady Show and Have I Got News For You.
She has also worked as host of Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards and previously hosted her own show on Talk Radio.
Kelly was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to charity in 2012 before being named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 202 for services broadcasting, journalism and charity.
