LORRAINE KELLY TO BE AWARDED BAFTA SPECIAL AWARD

BAFTA has announced that award-winning presenter, journalist and author Lorraine Kelly CBE will be presented with a BAFTA Special Award at the forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises on Sunday 12 May 2024, at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

The BAFTA Special Award is one of BAFTA’s highest honours, recognising an outstanding contribution to film, games or television. Lorraine Kelly was told of the news for the first time by presenter Susanna Reid live on air during her BAFTA-nominated weekday show on ITV, Lorraine, which she has hosted for thirty years.

Previous BAFTA Television Special Award recipients include David Olusoga, Nicola Shindler, Clare Balding, Idris Elba, John Motson, Henry Normal, Nick Fraser, Lenny Henry, Delia Smith and Cilla Black.

2024 marks four-decades of Lorraine Kelly’s unstoppable and impressive broadcasting career, as a hugely significant presence on daytime television. Lorraine has reported on every notable event in recent modern history, from Princess Diana's death, President Trump's presidential win, The Queen's death and The King's Coronation.

Her interviewees have included Prime Ministers, Hollywood luminaries, Oscar winners, Olympic athletes and members of Royalty. She has tackled sensitive topics in factual shows and raised awareness of numerous important health issues on her daytime shows, most notably her Change + Check breast cancer awareness campaign, and is beloved by the public for her candid presenting style and charisma on-screen.

Lorraine Kelly CBE said: “Finding out on-air this morning was a massive surprise – what an honour to be the recipient of the BAFTA Special Award. A huge thanks to everybody I’ve worked with on screen and behind the scenes over the years, the people who make Daytime TV are very special people. Now I have to go and look for a showstopping frock to wear to the BAFTAs on 12th May!”

Hilary Rosen, Chair of BAFTA’s Television Committee, said: “Lorraine Kelly has been a sparkling presence on our screens for over 40 years and is one of the most well-known and adored stars of Television. On ITV’s Lorraine she displays a mastery of disarming guests with her warmth and relaxed approach and always manages to make the daily demands of live broadcasting look easy...

"She combines quick intelligence with genuine empathy, tackling tricky subjects with skill and sensitivity and uses her platform to raise awareness of things that really matter. Lorraine has a deep and genuine connection with her audience and her longevity speaks to the unique importance of daytime television and its staying power. We are honoured to present Lorraine the BAFTA Special Award at our forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises on 12th May.” 

The BAFTA Special Award will be presented to Lorraine Kelly as part of a special commemoration of her ongoing legacy at the BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises - the biggest night in the television calendar.