Lorraine Kelly has revealed that a TV boss told her she would never make it in the industry because of her “Glasgow working class accent”, but will now receive a special BAFTA award.
Award-winning presenter, journalist and author Lorraine, 64, will be honored with a BAFTA Special Award at the upcoming BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at London’s Royal Festival Hall on May 12.
The BAFTA Special Award is one of BAFTA’s highest honours, recognizing an outstanding contribution to film, games or television.
Previous winners of the BAFTA Special Television Award include David Olusoga, Nicola Shindler, Clare Balding, Idris Elba, John Motson, Henry Normal, Nick Fraser, Lenny Henry, Delia Smith and Cilla Black.
Speaking about the struggles she faced when starting out in the industry, Lorraine explained: “I was given opportunities that, unfortunately, have become almost non-existent. I went straight to the local newspaper from school and then to the BBC (after acquiring a bottom drawer full of rejection letters).
Lorraine Kelly has revealed that a TV boss told her she would never make it in the industry because of her “Glasgow working class accent”.
Speaking about the struggles she faced starting out in the industry, Lorraine explained: “In fact, the head of BBC Scotland told me I would never make it to television because of my working-class Glasgow accent.”
‘In fact, the head of BBC Scotland told me I would never be able to appear on television because of my working-class Glasgow accent.
“It was actually the best thing that could have happened: that comment prompted me to call the boss of the relatively new breakfast television station TV-am, who asked me to come for an interview and then hired me as a correspondent in Scotland (Bruce Gyngell). He was Australian so he didn’t have the same class prejudices as the journalist!)
He added: ‘The high cost of living and work makes it almost impossible for working class children from the rest of the country to take a job in London. That has to change. There also needs to be more opportunities outside of London.
‘We have rightly stressed the importance of diversity in recent years, but this must also include working class young people who understand and can identify with the vast majority of our viewers. “It is in all of our interests to ensure that they have the opportunity to make their voices heard.”
Receiving the award, Lorraine said: “It really is a very special award as it comes from the BAFTAs and I feel very honoured.” It’s going to be an incredible evening and I’m really looking forward to it.’
Hilary Rosen, chair of the BAFTA Television Committee, said: “Lorraine Kelly has been a brilliant presence on our screens for over 40 years and is one of television’s best-known and adored stars.
‘On ITV’s Lorraine, he shows his mastery of disarming guests with his warmth and relaxed approach and always manages to make the daily demands of live broadcasting look easy.
Lorraine was left speechless on Monday after receiving a special TV BAFTA award while presenting her daily breakfast show.
The presenter was surprised by Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid, who interrupted the program to present her with the award in recognition of her 40-year career in broadcasting.
‘Combining quick intelligence with genuine empathy, he tackles difficult topics with skill and sensitivity and uses his platform to raise awareness about the 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 honored to present Lorraine with the BAFTA Special Award at our upcoming BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises the 12th of May”.
Lorraine was left speechless on Monday after receiving a special TV BAFTA award while presenting her daily breakfast show.
The presenter was surprised by Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid, who interrupted the show to present her with the award in recognition of a 40-year career in broadcasting.
Kelly, 64, looked visibly shocked when her ITV colleague Reid, 53, made his entrance shortly after the week began.
“Good morning Lorraine, this has been a huge surprise,” Reid said. ‘I have a very special announcement for you, Lorraine Kelly.
‘There is nothing greater or more deserved than this. I am here this morning for a very special reason.
Brandishing an envelope, he added: ‘BAFTA will celebrate 40 years in broadcasting. Your show is nominated in the daytime category, but I have something unique and special for you.
‘This is the first time something like this has been announced on air. This is the special golden envelope.
“On behalf of the BAFTA Board of Directors, we are delighted to present Lorraine Kelly with the special Academy Award to be presented at this year’s BAFTA Television Awards.”
‘This is crazy! Where are Ant and Dec? Kelly responded. ‘It can’t be a joke because this is Susanna!’
Kelly looked visibly shocked when her ITV colleague Reid, 53, made his entrance shortly into the week.
“Good morning Lorraine, this has been a huge surprise,” Reid said. ‘I have a very special announcement for you, Lorraine Kelly’
Of her 40 years in broadcasting, the Scottish presenter recalled: ‘It’s crazy. I joined TVAM in 1984.
“I was a baby, I got my chance on breakfast TV because they were willing to take a risk with someone who was told I would never make it to TV because of the way I talk.
“The head of TV-am was Australian and he heard a Scottish accent and it was one of those things where he said, ‘Try it.'”
Susanna added: “You are an inspiration to me and women in broadcasting.”
As 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 also worked as a presenter for the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards and previously presented her own show on Talk Radio.
Kelly was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to charity in 2012 before being appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2020 for services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.
