Lorraine Kelly: Sacked Weeks After Birth!

Television presenter Lorraine Kelly experienced significant professional upheaval just weeks after the birth of her daughter, Rosie, in 1994. She was dismissed from her role on GMTV following viewer complaints about her visible pregnancy. Kelly, who was a freelancer at the time, described the situation as "brutal" and "terrifying," especially with a newborn and a large mortgage.

Reflecting on the era, Kelly noted the "extraordinary" shift in attitudes towards pregnancy and maternity leave since her own experience. In 1994, being visibly pregnant on television was still met with some disapproval, leading to the complaints that ultimately cost her the job. However, her career soon took a positive turn when a baby food brand sponsored GMTV, contingent on her return.

By January 1995, Kelly had secured her own show, marking the beginning of a nearly three-decade-long tenure in morning television. She emphasized that this experience taught her never to take her career for granted, diversifying her work to include columns, radio, and writing books. Kelly credits the longevity of her current ITV show, "Lorraine," to her consistent approach of treating all guests with equal respect.