Lorraine Kelly, 65, has embraced the role of doting grandmother and can’t get enough of her 30-year-old daughter Rosie’s baby girl, Billie.
Although she’s one of the busiest women in television, Lorraine Kelly’s main priority these days is less about work and a lot more about family, In particular, getting some quality time with her eight-month-old granddaughter, Billie. ‘I go and babysit her whenever I'm needed— I would be there 24-7,’ she told Yours. ‘She's just adorable. I was working when Rosie was little and I missed out on quite a lot, so it's nice to get that time again. The most important thing is your family and sometimes it takes a wee baby coming into the world to make you realise that. You know, for all the interesting things I do, the best thing that I've been doing this year is just taking her for a walk in the pram.’
'I love being in Granny Club'
Sitting down for a catch up with the TV legend, the star’s eyes twinkled as she talked about her new role in life. ‘The other day I was out with the pram, and this lady who was also walking a pram was coming towards me and said, “We’re both on grandmother duty,” and she gave me a salute! I felt like I was in this brilliant club of grandmothers. Now and again, I get people coming up to me saying, “Ah this must be Billie,” it’s really lovely. I love being in the Granny Club.’
Lorraine on her soon-to-be son-in-law Steve
Lorraine, who has been happily married to cameraman Steve Smith since 1992, couldn’t approve more of her soon-to-be son-in-law, also called Steve, saying, ‘He’s an angel; I've adopted him as my son. That’s all you want for your kids— to meet somebody who is kind, who loves her and who takes care of her.’
Rosie and Steve, who got engaged in June 2024, are keen to have Billie involved in their nuptials next year. And Lorraine will be front of centre of the celebrations too! ‘She wants to make sure that Billie can be part of it — she could be a wee flower girl. I said, “Rosie, it won't matter what you're wearing or whatever else is happening in that wedding because everybody is going to be looking at the baby.” She's just going to be the star of the show.’
Caring for her mum
When she isn’t busy spoiling her granddaughter rotten - admitting to us, ‘What haven’t I bought? I mean, it's ridiculous! I bought her a real penguin in the Falklands, so there's a penguin bobbing about in the Falklands called Billie’ – Lorraine is spending time with her mum, former NHS worker Anne, 84. In February 2023, Anne— who still lives in Glasgow where Lorraine grew up— was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a condition that stops the kidneys functioning properly and even saw her hospitalised. Lorraine says, ‘We thought a year ago she would be on dialysis, that's what her medical team prepared us for. She’s in Scotland, so I get up there as often as I can.’
Lorraine on self-care
Juggling caring for her mum, Billie and her busy job means that Lorraine puts her selfcare bottom of the list. But she does have some top pieces of advice. ‘I put sunscreen on because that's really important— even in this country, even when it's January, you still must put that on. I wish I'd done it years ago. I take vitamin D, especially in the winter, and I take iron every morning. As far as makeup goes, less is more as you age. I've tended to use very soft brown eyeliner as it's not as harsh.
‘I try and have a balanced diet, but we're all human beings and we all like chocolate! I try to watch what I eat but I'm not somebody who can be clean eating all the time because I love food. I try to drink as much water as I can but it’s getting the balance right otherwise you spend half your life on the toilet!’
Lorraine's views on weight loss jabs
Lorraine also admits that despite keeping an eye on her figure, she won’t be resorting to weight loss jabs any time soon. ‘I think it's great if you've got a real problem and you want to lose weight, but the worry for me is that it doesn't address the fundamental mental issues that you might have with weight. We don't know some of the side effects and potential risks. Some folks that work in production have tried it and one of the girls found it made her feel very sick, and she had hair loss, so I don’t think I’ll bother, thank you very much! If you’re dangerously obese and you’re going to end up with diabetes or heart disease, then that’s what it’s for, but I don’t think it’s for people who’ve just got a few pounds to lose.’
Despite her jam-packed schedule, Lorraine shows no sign of slowing down and has recently completed her second book, The Island Swimmer, although it was no easy feat. ‘All second books are a nightmare, even Marian Keyes said that the second book is tough but once you get it done you feel great. There’s nothing like seeing somebody reading your book or seeing it on the shelves. It’s such a thrill!’
The Island Swimmer by Lorraine Kelly is out now in paperback.
Lorraine's book is out now in paperback.