Finding the

me This year, newcelebrates 35 years in broadcasting – from a researcher at the BBC, hosting GMTV, Daybreak and, of course, her much-loved daytime show Lorraine. But in 2016, none of Lorraine’s 1.6 million viewers could have imagined her emotional struggle away from the cameras. Here, Lorraine reveals how the menopause affected her mental wellbeing, and how her recovery inspired her to get the nation talking about menopause

Writing | Gemma Calvert

ackstage at Television most memorable journeys. Now, happiness, now felt unexpectedly Centre in north London, another is imminent. Next month, 'flat’, and her job, which began in Lorraine Kelly is the queen of daytime TV will enrol at 1984 presenting Scottish news on admiring two certificates astronaut training school in Florida, TV-am and led to anchor roles on on her dressing room wall, following one of many challenges this year – GMTV, Daybreak and Lorraine, anB expedition to Antarctica in her 35th anniversary in broadcasting. suddenly felt like 'effort’. Lorraine 2016. The trip wasn’t part of an The surprise trip was unveiled on her – mum to Rosie, 24 – also began environmental segment for her birthday last November, prompting experiencing anxiety. ITV daytime show Lorraine, but to space fanatic Lorraine to burst into With her 60th birthday approaching, celebrate 25 years of marriage to her tears of happiness live on TV. Lorraine sits down with Happiful to beloved husband, retired cameraman She was 10 years old when she explain how the hormonal transition Steve Smith. watched the first moon landing of menopause triggered the lowest “I like a challenge. Going to with her father, and the prospect time of her life, but how medical help, Antarctica was amazing. That’s me of experiencing weightlessness, fitness, and the support of loved ones and my husband at the bottom with just like her hero Buzz Aldrin and helped her through… king penguins,” she says, pointing his comrades did in 1969, was to a photograph of the beaming pair overwhelming. Lorraine, when did you first taken with her favourite animals. “I Yet Lorraine’s most profound notice you weren’t feeling use Google Earth to see places I want voyage in recent years has not been yourself? I was in Cordoba, one to visit; I last keyed in Greenland. I physical, but mental. of the most beautiful cities in the want to go to Nuuk, the capital.” In April 2016, during a holiday to south of Spain, with Steve, and I just For Lorraine, a die-hard fan of Spain with Steve, she observed that felt flat. There was no enjoyment. It explorer Ernest Shackleton, the polar the joy in her life was languishing. was like I’d lost myself. It was really pilgrimage will forever be one of her Activities that once sparked strange. Continues >>> Lorraine on set of her daytime TV show Lorraine Kelly

I said to Steve: “I don’t understand, I If a woman is feeling down and don’t feel any joy.” of menopausal age, what would I was lucky it was He suggested having a word with you recommend? It doesn’t matter hormonal. When Dr Hilary Jones [Good Morning what age you are, because people can Britain’s resident doctor] who put me go through the menopause at any age. I got the different in touch with menopause expert Dr Make sure you’ve got a GP who is Louise Newson. I’d been on hormone sympathetic, and get it checked out. patch, all of a replacement therapy patches for Also ask for help. Talk to your pals. sudden the about a year and a half, and she saw I Don’t think it’s a failure. That phrase – needed more oestrogen. At the time, it’s OK not to be OK – is true. world was in even making an appointment was a big deal, everything became difficult. How did it affect you at work? colour again It was like wading through glue. I was It was the first time ever that I felt, lucky it was hormonal. When I got not that I was putting a facade on, and how ahead of his time. After that, the different patch, all of a sudden but it was an effort, whereas it’s not he went back to the US, spoke openly the world was in colour again. normally. I just go on and do what about it, and hardly worked again. I do, but I was finding that I was People like that were pioneers. By speaking about menopause, really having to give myself a talking was it your intention to break to. It was exhausting. When I got You got into fitness after a the taboo? Not really. I just think the different patch, it really was life Comic Relief desert trek to nothing’s off limits. I started talking changing. Africa in 2011. Describe that about it, and then all of a sudden turning point for your health. Ulrika [Jonsson] did an interview What do you do now when you I came back and thought: “I need to with me, Carol Vorderman did an feel overwhelmed? I go for a really do something healthy.” Health has to interview, Meg Mathews as well, and good walk with my dog, Angus. Just be a lifestyle. Exercise is not just about the reaction we got was unbelievable. looking at that wee face, cheers me my body, it’s like having a spring clean Women were coming up to me in the up. You can be away for two minutes in my head. Sometimes I drag myself street with tears in their eyes, saying or two years, and get the same to an exercise class, and it makes me thank you. enthusiastic welcome. feel so much better in all ways. It’s almost like the mental health benefits Has your experience helped are better than the physical ones. you to better understand guests who’ve been through Congratulations on your 35- depression? Totally. I was lucky I year broadcasting anniversary. got it sorted out quickly. My heart goes What advice would you give out to people who are struggling with to yourself at the start of your mental health problems. It’s huge now, career? Not to have worried as especially among young men. much. Obviously, as a parent, you The first person I ever spoke to always worry about your kids, but about mental health – way back I think of all the time I’ve wasted during the TV-am days, when worrying about stuff I can’t do people didn’t talk about it – anything about. As you get older, was Rod Steiger, the actor. you don’t worry quite as much, but He was talking about when TV-am stopped [in 1993] I how difficult it was didn’t know if I was being kept on, so for people like him I got my CV and went round all the to get work. He said: TV stations in the UK, I went up to “I’m down a deep dark Scotland, I knocked on doors. Then, well and nobody knows when I started on GMTV, I went [off] what it’s like.” I remember to have Rosie and then was replaced thinking how brave he was, by Anthea Turner.

48 • happiful • March 2019 Photography | Nicky Johnston hands inher lap] to not cry. I had to dothat [Lorraine grips her was astonishing. It moving, was so and a guest on my show. The interview ago, 20years afterthe atrocity, Ali was had a baby girl, Ali. Acouple of years shewhen was murdered, and Pam also and she’d to like you.” to talk saying: “A lady has lost her daughter, 1996], Igot from acall police, the massacre School [inMarchPrimary than 10years on. Ifound that hard. 10 years time.” Well, we’re now more people in poor to these talking be “Ithinking, hope I’m not going to shortly after she disappeared, and with Madeleine McCann’s parents to cover? What's beenthehardest story becomes your child. most important thing world inthe It made work ‘just ajob’, the because your attitude to work? Did becoming amumchange show [ and January inthe Igot my own showsa week, those didbrilliantly, mum and baby slot for two mornings September.the Then Iwas offered a June, Iwas supposed to go back in terrible. Awful. was inthe Rosie born becoming anewmum? especially so soon after How did you cope withthat, Pam Ross’ daughter Joanna was five When Iwas covering Dunblane the clean in myhead having aspring body, it’s like just aboutmy Exercise isnot be alifestyle. Health hasto Lorraine Live Lorraine Doing first the interview ]. Happy days! For sure. It was years ago, wasitharder to in Singapore two and ahalf When Rosie landed aPRjob 21 years old. go to aforeign and country dothat at company brave –it was very of her to children. Then she gotjobwith a a PR can raisethey money to support their prostitution, it’s because only the way in jail, of usually and because drugs for acharity that helps single mums for her. For about ayear, she worked same the time, Iwas really pleased independent –how dare At they? independent, go and they then be You bring up your children to be your onlychild? say goodbye because she’s 8.30–9.25am weekdays onITV, Watch 'Lorraine' It was inaway. pals forpals that! of course, she doesn’t. She’s got her daughter But tells me everything. mum! Iwould love my to think ‘the tripod’. No, no, no! You’re the ago, and them to she call used dating with her daughters years Duchessthe of York was going out not Iremember her friend. when bond… You seemto have anamazing and sensible. and ever be, she’swill steady very She’s much more grown up than I wellbeing, she’s because an old soul. I’ve never really worried about her aboutDo her? you worry We do, but I’m her mum, March 2019 • happiful • 49 •49 2019 •happiful March