After more than three decades as one of British daytime TV’s most trusted voices, Dr Hilary Jones has confirmed he is stepping away from Lorraine, as sweeping cuts at ITV begin to dramatically reshape the future of daytime television.
The 72-year-old GP, who has been a reassuring presence for millions of viewers, revealed that his final regular appearance on the show will take place on New Year’s Eve. The decision comes after Lorraine’s airtime was slashed, marking a major turning point for the programme — and for one of its longest-serving contributors.
Dr Hilary has appeared on Lorraine since its launch in 2010, becoming a familiar and trusted figure during its 36-year run on ITV. However, with the broadcaster’s latest round of cost-cutting announced in May, the show is now among those bearing the brunt of the changes.
A career that shaped daytime television
Dr Hilary’s television career began back in 1989, when he first appeared as the resident doctor on TV-am. He later became health and medical editor on GMTV from 1993, before seamlessly transitioning through Daybreak and eventually Lorraine. Through every reinvention of ITV’s breakfast and daytime output, he remained a constant — calm, measured, and reassuring.
But that continuity has now been disrupted. Earlier this year, ITV confirmed that Lorraine will air for just 30 minutes a day, and only for 30 weeks of the year. For the remaining 22 weeks, Good Morning Britain will take over the 9am–10am slot.
‘A free agent’ — but not disappearing entirely
Speaking to The Sun, Dr Hilary confirmed his decision to step back, explaining that from January he will become a “free agent,” though he has not ruled out returning for occasional guest appearances.
“People are being very sensitive to the fact that some people are having to move on,” he said.
“A lot of people are being redeployed elsewhere or staying in similar roles. ITV, like everyone else, are having to make changes.”
An ITV spokesperson echoed that sentiment, adding: “Dr Hilary remains a valued part of the team.”
Lorraine Kelly breaks her silence
The news comes just days after Lorraine Kelly herself broke her silence on the cuts, admitting that while she had an “inkling” changes were coming, the scale of the decision left her devastated — not for herself, but for her colleagues.
Under the new schedule, Lorraine will present the show five days a week during the 30 weeks it remains on air. As a result, her usual Friday stand-ins Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard are no longer required, while the programme’s runtime has been halved to just 9.30am–10am.
Reports suggest that up to 220 jobs could be at risk among ITV’s 450 daytime staff — a figure Lorraine admitted left her angry and heartbroken for her team.
“I wasn’t annoyed or angry about this for me… it was about the team,” she said.
“It’s heartbreaking to lose people you’ve grown up with and worked alongside for more than 20 years.”
Despite speculation that she might also step away, Lorraine was clear she has no intention of quitting anytime soon. Citing Loose Women stars Janet Street-Porter and Gloria Hunniford as inspirations, she joked:
“I’ll be toddling off that show in my Zimmer frame — and even then, I’ll still be coming in. I’m not going anywhere until people get fed up.”
The end of an era
For Dr Hilary, however, the curtain is quietly falling on a remarkable chapter in British television history — one defined by decades of trusted advice, steady reassurance, and an unwavering presence in living rooms across the country.
As ITV’s brutal cuts continue to ripple through daytime TV, his departure marks not just the loss of a familiar face, but the end of a true television era.
Source: Daily Mail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
