Television presenter Lorraine Kelly has announced the death of her beloved father, John Kelly, at the age of 84.
A Heartfelt Tribute on Social Media
The 66-year-old broadcaster shared the sad news with her followers on Instagram, posting a smiling photograph of herself with her dad. She described his passing as a 'shock' despite his recent 'poor health'.
In an emotional post, Lorraine wrote: "Very sad news. My dad has died. I am mourning the man who bought me a telescope when I was five years old, who watched the moon landings with me and taught me to always be curious and interested in everything."
She directly addressed others who have suffered a similar loss, acknowledging the shared grief she and her brother, Graham, are experiencing. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time, stating their immediate focus is on caring for Lorraine's mother, Anne.
John Kelly's Life and Legacy
John Kelly worked as a TV service engineer and was married to Anne for more than 65 years. The couple were teenagers when Lorraine was born; John was 18 and Anne was 17. Their son Graham arrived six years later.
Lorraine has often spoken with admiration about her father's work ethic. In a past article for The Times, she credited him with lifting the family out of a 'deprived background' in Glasgow's Gorbals through 'sheer hard graft'. She recalled a childhood where all four family members lived in a single room with an outside toilet.
John's health had been a concern for several years. In 2021, Lorraine revealed he had survived a major health scare involving heart failure and a severe infection that was initially feared to be lung cancer. "We went through a few very tough months thinking we were going to lose him," she told The Mirror at the time.
An Outpouring of Celebrity Support
Following her announcement, messages of condolence flooded in from friends and colleagues in the public eye. Singer Craig David sent his love, describing John as Lorraine's "angel".
Dr Amir Khan and Ben Shepherd from Good Morning Britain also expressed their sorrow and support for the grieving family online.
Lorraine concluded her tribute with a simple, poignant message: "We will miss you dad."
