Lorraine Kelly's Texas interview postponed after studio power cut

ITV descended into scheduling chaos on Wednesday morning after a power outage at its Covent Garden studio forced the cancellation of Lorraine Kelly’s show and delayed This Morning. According to the Daily Mail ^[2], the technical failure meant both programmes were pulled from the schedule at the last minute, leaving viewers with an unexpected shift in programming.

Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, hosting Good Morning Britain, confirmed the disruption live on air. As reported by the Daily Mail ^[2], Susanna told the audience that they would normally be receiving information from Lorraine’s show, but instead, they were taking over the slot. Ed Balls described the situation simply as an “event” having occurred, while Susanna joked that the production team would need plenty of content to fill the extra half-hour airtime.

Lorraine Kelly, 66, took to Instagram to explain the situation, describing the disruption as a “little bit of a hoo-ha.” In a video filmed from her car, she informed fans that the power cut prevented her show from airing as planned, according to the Metro ^[1]. She noted that technicians were aiming to resolve the issue by around 11am, which would allow This Morning to air, albeit later than usual.

The presenter expressed disappointment specifically regarding her guest, Sharleen Spiteri of the band Texas. Lorraine had been due to interview the Scottish singer about the band’s new single, Another Way To Cry, and their upcoming 30th anniversary tour, as detailed by the Metro ^[1]. Despite the setback, Lorraine remained optimistic, stating that the interview would be rescheduled and that she would return to the air the following day.

Meanwhile, This Morning was replaced by a compilation of best bits from previous episodes, with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley appearing in the studio. The Mirror reported ^[3] that a sign reading “this programme is pre-recorded” was displayed on screen during the segment. Good Morning Britain also faced minor technical glitches, with an ad break failing to show commercials and displaying the ITV logo instead.

The incident highlights the fragility of live broadcasting, particularly amid broader discussions about UK energy stability. Lorraine, who has hosted her show since 2010, previously spoke about budget cuts that reduced her airtime, telling the Independent ^[5] that she was “absolutely not” angry about the changes. It is believed Lorraine will return to her usual 9.30am slot once the studio’s power issues are fully resolved.