Tensions are reportedly mounting behind the scenes at ITV’s daytime programming following a major relocation that has dramatically changed working conditions for some of the channel’s most recognisable stars. The move, which took place last month as part of a sweeping cost-cutting exercise, has seen several flagship daytime shows forced into a much smaller, underground studio space in central London, leading to complaints about cramped facilities and unequal treatment.
As part of the restructuring, which resulted in approximately 200 staff members losing their jobs, Lorraine, This Morning, and Loose Women were all relocated from their previous bases to a shared studio complex in Covent Garden. The new premises are significantly smaller than their former locations, and the decision to house all three programmes in a single studio has had immediate and noticeable consequences. One of the most striking changes is that Loose Women has lost its live studio audience, a feature that had long been a key part of the show’s atmosphere and format.
According to reports, the lack of space has also created practical problems for presenters. A number of high-profile ITV daytime stars are now said to be sharing dressing rooms and using communal toilets, a sharp contrast to the more private facilities many of them previously enjoyed. Among those affected are Cat Deeley, Ben Shephard, Dermot O’Leary, Alison Hammond, Ruth Langsford, and Kaye Adams, all of whom are understood to have lost access to individual dressing rooms as a result of the move.
An insider has claimed that Lorraine Kelly, aged 66, is the only presenter who has retained a private toilet within her dressing room. This has reportedly caused some resentment, with the source suggesting that the arrangement has become a talking point among staff. Speaking to The Sun, the insider said there had been “quite a lot of issues” since the teams relocated to the new studios, adding that presenters had been required to give up personal spaces they had previously relied on during long working days.
The source alleged that while Lorraine Kelly technically has her own private toilet, even that space is not entirely exclusive, as guests are said to frequently use it as well. The insider also claimed that the cramped conditions have led to further inconveniences, including situations where presenters have had to improvise. On one recent occasion, Christine Lampard was reportedly forced to change clothes in a meeting room due to the lack of available dressing space. Technical problems have also been highlighted, with claims that the building’s lift has broken down on more than one occasion, adding to the daily frustrations.
Despite these reports, ITV has played down suggestions of unrest. A spokesperson for the broadcaster said that ITV Daytime teams have been based at the new, “state-of-the-art” multi-storey studios for over a month and have adapted successfully to their new environment. The spokesperson emphasised that the changes coincide with positive performance figures, pointing to a year-on-year increase in audience share and strong digital engagement, with almost 50 million views per month across online platforms. According to ITV, there is said to be a “positive vibe” across all three shows currently operating from the shared studio.
The relocation of ITV Daytime programmes is part of a wider reshuffle across the network. Good Morning Britain has also moved out of Television Centre and is now based at ITN’s headquarters, where it shares a studio with ITV News. This transition has similarly been described as challenging by those involved.
Ranvir Singh, one of the programme’s presenters, has spoken openly about the impact of the changes, describing the show as feeling “splintered” following the departure of many long-serving staff members. In an interview with The Express, she reflected on the emotional toll of seeing colleagues leave after years of working together. She noted that while personal career progress can be positive, it does not offset the sense of loss felt when familiar faces behind the scenes are no longer part of the daily routine.
Singh explained that she had said farewell to many colleagues who had worked on the programme for more than a decade, often starting work in the early hours of the morning across various departments. Although some staff have remained and the programme continues to perform well in the ratings, she acknowledged that the changes have been significant. She added that she remains in touch with many former colleagues, staying connected through messages and conversations, even as the show adjusts to its new setup.
Overall, while ITV maintains that its daytime programming is thriving creatively and commercially, reports from insiders suggest that the practical realities of the move to smaller studios have created tensions that are still being felt among presenters and staff alike.
