Lorraine Kelly’s Hilarious Richard Madeley Joke Has Fans Talking
Lorraine Kelly delivered a sharp quip aimed at her ITV co-star Richard Madeley during her hosting debut on Have I Got News For You. Sharing a clip of the BBC comedy show on social media, Lorraine, 64, cheekily captioned it, “What fun we had,” reflecting on her time as guest host.
During the episode, Lorraine read from the autocue, delivering a scripted jab: “In other news, Rachel Reeves has been accused of lying on her CV. But we’ve all done that, haven’t we, for work purposes? For years, I’ve claimed to be friends with Richard Madeley.” She delivered the line with a straight face, drawing laughs from the panel, which included comedian Maisie Adam, journalist Matt Chorley, and team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, reported by the Daily Mail.
Fans quickly took to social media to praise Lorraine’s comedic timing, with one calling it “the best episode so far of the series,” while another said, “Absolutely amazing, loved it and adore you even more now.” However, not all viewers were impressed, with some criticizing the choice of Lorraine as host. “They really are not as amusing as they think they are. Dreadfully outdated, dire TV,” one critic commented. Another added, “I remember when you were edgy and funny. This is just pathetic.”
The episode comes amid reports of tension at ITV, where Lorraine and Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid are reportedly unhappy about missing out on major celebrity interviews. According to The Sun, both presenters have voiced concerns that high-profile guests are being directed to This Morning, which has been trying to boost ratings with big-name interviews.
In recent months, This Morning—now hosted by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley—has featured stars like Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Meghan Trainor, leaving Lorraine and Susanna feeling overlooked. A source claimed, “Susanna has been vocal about wanting bigger names and is frustrated they’re going elsewhere. Lorraine has voiced the same view. It feels like big stars are being shipped to This Morning to try and pull them out of a hole.”
Despite the ITV drama, Lorraine’s stint on Have I Got News For You highlighted her versatility as a broadcaster, balancing sharp humor with her signature charm. Whether the quip about Madeley was purely scripted or a nod to real-life dynamics, it certainly got viewers talking.