A social media account that tracked the absences of television presenter Lorraine Kelly from her weekday show has officially shut down following the presenter’s remarks describing the account as “really hurtful”. The account, known as @LorraineKWatch, debuted in February 2022 and garnered over 25,000 followers with its humorous commentary on Kelly’s guest appearances and departures from her self-titled ITV morning programme.

Lorraine Kelly, who has been hosting her show since 2010, generally appears from Monday to Thursday, taking Fridays off, during which she is often substituted by fellow presenters such as Christine Lampard or Ranvir Singh. The satirical account provided updates on her attendance, highlighting what percentage of episodes she had hosted. For instance, one of its recent posts noted: “Lorraine Kelly did not host her own show this morning, with Ranvir Singh stepping in. #Lorraine has hosted 32 episodes out of 47 (68.1%) this year.”

The closure of the account came shortly after Lorraine spoke out about it during an interview with The Guardian, where she expressed her discomfort with its existence. “It’s really hurtful actually. It really is,” she remarked. Lorraine explained that her absences from the show were largely due to personal circumstances, including her mother’s illness, stating, “I’ve had to take Fridays off for the past year. I just thought it was weird to care so much.”

The creator of @LorraineKWatch had previously indicated that they would cease operations if Lorraine ever expressed discomfort regarding the account. Following her comments, the account’s owner issued a statement reaffirming their respect for Kelly, writing: “I have always said that if Lorraine or her team reached out and asked me to stop this account then I would.”

In their official closure announcement, they added, “While I have not had contact with Lorraine or anybody affiliated with her, her comments in this weekend’s The Guardian make it clear that the joke has run its course and it is time for it to end. There was never any intention of hurting Lorraine’s feelings and I am sorry if I have done so.” The statement concluded: “Goodbye my Lorrainvirstines,” reflecting the affection they felt for their followers and the lighthearted nature of the account’s content.

Lorraine Kelly, 65, meanwhile, has had her own recent health concerns prompting public interest. She addressed speculation regarding a swollen face when she appeared on Good Morning Britain, attributing it to an accident where she fell while carrying a large basket of washing, which left her with an unfortunate black eye. She further dispelled rumours of having undergone cosmetic procedures, affirming, “Have I had fillers? No!”

The closure of the @LorraineKWatch account marks the end of a two-year chapter for a social media phenomenon that gained a following through its tongue-in-cheek tracking of a beloved television figure’s work-life balance. Lorraine continues to be a prominent presence on UK television, airing weekdays at 9am on ITV1 and ITVX.

Source: Noah Wire Services