Lorraine Kelly's father dies aged 84: Chat show host shares heartfelt tribute to late dad John who had been in 'poor health'
Lorraine Kelly has revealed her father John has died at the age of 84.The TV presenter, 66, made the heartbreaking announcement on Saturday as she shared a photo of herself with her dad alongside an emotional tribute.Lorraine noted John had been 'in poor health' recently but his passing had still come as a 'shock'. She wrote: '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.'He was in poor health but it has still been a shock. Any of you who have experienced a similar loss will know how my brother Graham and I are feeling.'Our priority is taking care of my mum and the family would very much appreciate privacy at this distressing time.' Lorraine Kelly has revealed her father John has died at the age of 84John worked as a TV service engineer and passed on his love of astronomy and science to his daughter.He was married to Lorraine's mother Anne for over 65 years. John was 18 and Anne was 17 when they had their daughter.Writing in The Times, Lorraine said of her childhood in the Gorbals area of Glasgow: 'Until I was 13, all four of us - me, my brother and my mum and dad - lived in the one room. 'In one corner you had your sink and your cooker, and there was a recess where your bed was. Then there was an absolutely disgusting outside toilet, and you went to the public baths to have a bath. 'My mum kept our place immaculate - which is where I get my tidy gene from. To this day, I can't leave washing up in the sink, because I think the tidy police are going to arrest me.'She praised her father for taking their family out of a 'deprived background' through 'sheer hard graft'. The family later moved to Bridgeton and eventually settled in East Kilbride where Lorraine began her media career working for local newspaper the East Kilbride News. Lorraine previously spoke of her fears of losing her dad back in 2021 when he battled a major infection and heart failure.She told The Mirror: 'We went through a few very tough months thinking we were going to lose him. It was just awful – but he was amazing, he rallied.'This time last year he was in hospital and got out just before Covid started. He basically has heart failure.'He also had a really bad scare and they thought he had lung cancer but it was just a massive, massive infection.'The presenter has spoken of helping to care for her mother Anne who suffers from the kidney condition nephrotic syndrome. She has cut back her hours at ITV in order to help care for her. Lorraine received several messages of condolence from her friends and followersLorraine received several messages of condolence from her friends and followers including Vanessa Feltz who wrote: 'Lorraine I am so terribly sorry to hear this. I know what a close and loving family you are. Sending love and my deepest condolences. Vanessa.'TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins wrote: 'Lorraine I'm so sorry to hear that, heartbreaking for you. Sending loads of love.'Dawn French added: 'Love wrapped around you' and former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon wrote: 'Sending love Lorraine x'. Dr Amir Khan, who regularly appears on Lorraine's ITV chat show wrote: 'Lorraine I'm so sorry. I know how close you are to your family - sending you all the love.'
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Lorraine Kelly's father dies aged 84: Chat show host shares heartfelt tribute to late dad John who had been in 'poor health'
