Lorraine Kelly is ‘baffled’ by Esther McVey feud as she denies ‘fighting over Eamonn Holmes’ in the ’90s
LORRAINE Kelly is “baffled” the Esther McVey feud – denying that they “fought over Eamonn Holmes” in the ’90s.
The 59-year-old star spoke out after MP Esther claimed that the presenter was left unhappy when she was promoted above her on GMTV.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain earlier today, Lorraine shook her head in disagreement as she watched 51-year-old Esther’s comments, remarking that the situation was “nuts”.
Joking with Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, Lorraine replied: “Well who wouldn’t want to fight over Eamonn?”
She continued: “To be honest I am baffled by that, I have had my own show since 1992 and I don’t think she joined until five years later.”
The TV favourite also hit back at Esther’s claims that they shared a dressing room.
She continued: “As far as sharing dressing rooms go, it was just a little room that everyone shared.
“We went in and got ready, it wasn’t a dressing room with couches – just a little room, very basic.
“I’ll be genuinely honest, I don’t remember much – it was such a long time ago, my show was totally separate so there was no interaction.”
Lorraine then added that she was mostly unhappy with Esther’s controversial political opinions – particularly on LGBT+ rights.
She explained: “Yesterday I got sick to the back teeth of the whole toxic, political atmosphere.
“I strongly disagree with her on LGBT rights, I’ve had enough, it’s got to stop.”
Esther came under fire last month when she said it should be up to parents if they wanted to withdraw their primary school children from lessons on same-sex relationships.
The staunch Brexiteer faced a furious backlash for the comments that many saw as a bid to woo the extreme right wing of the Tory party in the race to become the next PM.
She has already vowed to leave the EU with or without a deal and wants to slash international aid spending.
Lorraine hit the headlines yesterday due to her awkward response when asked about her former co-star.
GMB had aired a short clip of Esther presenting the breakfast show and as Susanna crossed over to Lorraine she asked: “Do you remember Esther McVey from her GMTV days?”
The TV favourite simply replied: “Yep. Yes, I do.”
She then swiftly moved on to what viewers could expect from her upcoming programme.
Later in the show during another crossover, host Piers cheekily asked: “So you got on with Esther then, Lorraine?”
Lorraine replied: “I don’t remember, love, I don’t remember at all.
“I really don’t. It was an awful long time ago.”
Breaking into laughter, Piers added: “Oh, if looks could kill she’d be six feet under.”
Turning to Susanna, he added: “I’d love to hear the back story behind that.”
Speaking at a press conference hours later, the Tory politician said of Lorraine: “We used to share a dressing room and obviously she used to be partnered with Eamonn Holmes.
“Then I was promoted to be partnered with Eamonn Holmes.
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“But she was great, it was a great show and I can’t believe it was nearly 20 years ago.”
When Good Morning Britain kicked off earlier this morning, Piers teased that they would be getting Lorraine’s side of the story later.
He said of Esther’s comments: “I don’t think she will take it lying down.
“I just saw Lorraine Kelly, woman of the moment, and she had a sheepish grin on her face.
“I said ‘are we going to talk about this later?’ and she said ‘oh yes, if you want to’.”
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