Lorraine Kelly reveals new career move: ‘It's something that I've always wanted to do’

Virgin Radio

16 May 2023, 08:21

Presenter Lorraine Kelly has shared a "wee bit of news" with her fans. 

Known for hosting her breakfast show on ITV, the popular celebrity has taken to Twitter to reveal a surprising career move. 

She posted a video on Monday night (15th May), with the caption: “A wee bit of news - been wanting to do this for ages! Tougher but even more enjoyable than I thought. Hope you will like it.”

In the video, Lorraine explained that she has taken on a project completely unrelated to her telly work - which continues weekdays at 9am on ITV. "I'm really delighted to share with you news of my debut novel, it's called The Island Swimmer. It's going to be out next spring,” she said.

"I've had such a brilliant time doing this. It's something that I've always wanted to do. I've always wanted to write fiction, and I just felt that this was the right time.

"I was so, so lucky as a kid, my mum and dad taught me to read and write before I even went to primary school and books have always been such a massive part of my life. I'm never without a book in my bag, and to think I am actually going to be a published author of fiction - it’s a dream come true. It really is."

The new author gave fans some information about what they can expect from the story and its setting. “Orkney is very much at the heart of the story. It’s almost like a character in itself, I guess.” 

Explaining that The Island Swimmer is “about relationships”, she revealed that it focuses on  “one woman’s journey” as she “has to leave Orkney” to go south, “where she’s rootless, and doesn’t really know how to find herself.” 

Lorrain added: “She has to go through that whole process of going back to Orkney and reconnecting with people, and reconnecting with the community, and finding some kind of contentment. And part of the way that she does that is through a group of women and men who do wild water swimming, which is a huge thing that I do, so I wanted to bring my passion for that to the story as well.”

She added: “It’s been hard. It’s been really hard, but it’s been so rewarding, and I really hope that you enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Fans and friends were quick to praise her. Author Jane Fallon wrote: “Woo Hoo! I can’t wait to read it!”

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: “This is wonderful news!! Congratulations xx”

In other morning TV news, Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby returned to This Morning yesterday. Here’s what viewers thought of it.