Lorraine Kelly had to miss her show on Thursday… but for a very special reason.
The Scottish presenter, 58, has travelled to Edinburgh to be awarded with an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University!
Loose Women panellist Christine Lampard filled in for the star, but Lorraine still managed to make a brief appearance on the programme.
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Appearing on the show via video link from the university’s Usher Hall, Lorraine sported her graduation robe as she opened up about receiving the honour.
She said: “It’s so exciting. Two years ago, I was in this very hall watching my [daughter] Rosie graduate from the Edinburgh Napier University, which was amazing.
“And now they’ve given me an honorary degree, so I’m getting it today. I’m going to be with all the students and their proud parents and it’s just going to be fantastic.”
Lorraine said she never had the chance to go to university when she was younger because she went straight from school to work in local newspapers.
She said: “This really means a lot and especially as it was where Rosie went and where she studied journalism.
“I’m following in her footsteps and I’m very proud to be doing so.”
Christine, 39, replied: “Bet you are! This is a doctorate, that sounds incredibly important.”
Lorraine quipped: “Well it is, you know when people say when you’re on an airplane, ‘is there a doctor in the house?’
“I can say, ‘yeah!’ I don’t know if I’ll be able to do very much!”
Lorraine’s exciting news comes shortly after she lifted the lid on her retirement plans.
Despite being only a few years away from retirement age, it seems Lorraine has no plans to enjoy a few years of rest and relaxation.
The TV legend spoke to the Is It Just Me? podcast, revealing she “can’t ever imagine” herself not being a TV presenter.
She said: “I just keep going. I’m going to be 60 next year, so that’s a long time I’ve been doing it. But I can’t ever imagine myself not doing it.
“I’ve seen all them regime changes over the years, but I think the most important thing is I genuinely love it.”
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She suggested the best part of her job is interacting with viewers.
Lorraine added: “When I’m walking about, people feel like they really know me.
“I think it’s lovely – it’s like I’m their pal. It takes you two minutes to have a wee chat, a selfie, then off you go.”
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