Lorraine Kelly has returned to her television show for the first time since a horrific horse riding accident two months ago.
Wearing a yellow and blue summer dress, she told Lorraine viewers: ”It’s good to be back.”
The Broughty Ferry resident was joined by American Pie stars Mena Suvari and Jason Biggs. She interviewed Britain’s Got Talent standout Hope Murphy and looked at why running is the preferred form of exercise for beautiful women from Michelle Obama to Gwyneth Paltrow.
”You might even get me (running)… maybe not quite yet but I’m hirpling,” the former Dundee University rector laughed. ”I’ll do the walking bit first and build up.”
Monday was the first time the 52-year old had appeared on the show that bears her name since she was thrown and trampled by a horse on February 21 while training for an event with Sarah Brown’s charity PiggyBankKids.
The horse’s hoof slammed down on her right thigh just an inch from her hip bone. She suffered a deep wound and lost three pints of blood. She was rushed to hospital where she received emergency surgery and a blood transfusion. Two months on, she’s walking with a cane and says feeling is beginning to come back into her leg.
Her newspaper reviewers Kevin Maguire and Victoria Derbyshire asked: ”Are you okay how bad was it?”
”It was… yes.” she replied. ”But I’m fine. I just kept telling myself you have to look on the bright side. And it could have been so much worse. I could have had broken bones or it could have stood on my pelvis. It could have been so much worse.”
The presenter appeared overwhelmed by ”welcome back” messages from singer Justin Bieber and a phalanx of stars at Sunday’s Olivier Awards, including Ronan Keating, Barbara Windsor, Patrick Stewart and Lenny Henry.
Ex-Boyzone singer Ronan Keating said: ”Lorraine, we’ve missed you on TV. Great to have you back, I hope you’re well and I hope to see you soon. God bless.”
British-Irish boy band the Wanted said they looked forward to catching up with her when they return from an international tour.
Justin Bieber welcomed her back to the show and said he couldn’t wait to see her.
Barbara Windsor said: ”Lorraine, darling, we’ve missed you so much. We’re so thrilled that you’re back. All the girls have done very well standing in for you but there’s nothing like the real Lorraine.”
Another former Eastenders star, Kara Tointon, advised her: ”You went a step too far. Sit on that sofa and don’t move for a bit. You need a rest!”
Veteran actor Patrick Stewart said: ”Lorraine, welcome back. The nation will be happy to see you back on the sofa.”
Following the celebrity wellwishers, Lorraine said: ”Oh my god, I’m lost for words. That was incredible. I’ve really missed you all so much. Thanks so much for all your kind words and well wishes. You’ve really helped me.”
It was a welcome return to form for a presenter who has been lined up to front revamped morning show Daybreak, which is due to be relaunched in September.
According to reports, she has refused to do the first hour of the show and will begin presenting from 7am.
Her co-host currently tipped to be former Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones will depart at 8.30, leaving her to present the final section of the show alone, as she currently does with Lorraine.
The presenter also showed her injuries hadn’t dented her sense of humour.
After showing the famous picture of Mena Suvari naked on a bed of roses from American Beauty, viewers saw a picture of Lorraine recreating it on a bed of onions.
”Now there’s a picture that would make you cry,” she told the Hollywood starlet.