Dr. Hilary Jones, a long-time guest on ITV’s “Lorraine,” recently recounted an incident of on-air drunkenness that left him feeling anxious about his future with the show. The 72-year-old medical expert shared that the mishap occurred after he celebrated completing the New York Marathon.
Incident During the Live Broadcast
Dr. Hilary celebrated the marathon with his brothers, leading to a night of excessive drinking without eating. While preparing for a live segment from Times Square, he suddenly found himself on air with Lorraine Kelly. “I remember giggling and laughing and talking rubbish because I was a bit drunk,” he admitted.
Worried about his performance, he feared he would be dismissed from the show. The next day, he reached out to the show’s producers to apologize. Surprisingly, they responded positively, stating that he “sounded happy” and “euphoric,” affirming that he had “got away with it.”
Future Changes in Programming
Despite this humorous encounter, Dr. Hilary’s future roles on the show may change due to upcoming revisions to ITV’s scheduling. Starting in 2026, “Lorraine” will be reduced from one hour to 30 minutes and may air seasonally.
Reflecting on his situation, Dr. Hilary indicated he would likely continue making guest appearances and providing medical insight. He stated, “I think I’ll still be appearing on breakfast TV.”
Lorraine Kelly’s Perspective
Lorraine Kelly, who has hosted the program since 2010, acknowledged the necessity for programming adjustments. In a recent interview with “Woman Magazine,” she commented, “It’s a different world we live in. I knew there had to be cutbacks and changes.”
Despite the looming changes, Lorraine maintains an optimistic outlook. “I love my job, working with incredible people. We just get on with it and see what happens,” she noted.
“Lorraine” continues to air on weekdays at 9 AM on ITV and ITVX, embracing the shifts in viewership and programming while maintaining its commitment to delivering valuable content.
