Lorraine And Loose Women Odds: Which ITV Show Will Be Axed First?

ITV dropped a Daytime bombshell on fans last week by revealing a huge schedule shakeup for next year. 

From January 2026, Lorraine Kelly's titular chat show Lorraine will only run for 30 minutes, rather than an hour, and for 30 weeks of the year instead of the usual 52. 

There were also changes announced for the all-female lunchtime talk show Loose Women. 

It will continue to air for an hour, but the show - which features the likes of Stacey Solomon, Ruth Langsford, Frankie Bridge and Coleen Nolan - will also only air for 30 weeks in 2026.

But there was good news for Good Morning Britain viewers. The news show will be extended by 30 minutes to plug the half-hour Lorraine gap, and it'll even run for an extra hour on the days Lorraine isn't on air. 

ITV's new Daytime changes come just weeks after they announced their flagship soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, will both be cut by 30 minutes apiece from January. 

Following the shock Daytime announcement, speculation on betting sites has been rife about which of Lorraine or Loose Women will be entirely axed first. 

Lorraine Next On Chopping Block? 

Proposed ITV plans, which have been seen by The Sun on Sunday newspaper, suggest the job title Head of Lorraine only has a one-year contract, and the newspaper claims it is to be "part-time for the first time". 

Lorraine is also said to have turned down the chance to retire. 

A TV source told the publication: "Lorraine was asked if she wanted to retire, having just celebrated her 40 years on breakfast TV, but she instead chose to see out her contract."

While she looks set to host next year's slimmed-down version of Lorraine, some industry sources expect the legendary presenter to host the new 30-minute programme for only one year. 

Which Show Will Be Axed First Odds

If Lorraine, who is expected to front the show five days a week rather than having Fridays off as she currently does, departs at the end of next year, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see the show shelved altogether. 

It is 10/11 on betting apps for Lorraine's series to be ditched before Loose Women, and just Evens for 2026 to be the end of the Lorraine programme after 15 years. 

However, if further ITV Daytime cost-cutting is required in the coming years, then the lunchtime show Loose Women (11/10) could make way before Lorraine. 

Loose Women is thought to have around a 26-strong pool of presenters and panellists, and some are expected to be let go amid the show's episodes being cut. 

Lorraine 'Pulling Out All The Stops' 

Following ITV's bombshell announcement, Lorraine isn't going down without a fight. 

The veteran TV presenter is said to be battling to save the long-term future of her show - and is determined to "pull out all the stops". 

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper, "Lorraine was not happy about what is happening and also had concerns for the production team, which will be cut back, too.

"She needs to show bosses it is worth keeping on air. You can expect her to be pulling hard to get big-name celebrities on her show instead of GMB or This Morning."

While 2026 is the favourite for Lorraine to be axed, there are some positives for the show, after the programme celebrated increased viewing figures earlier this year. 

When Will Lorraine Be Axed Odds 

A source close to the show told the publication: "February, March and April celebrated the highest viewing figures for three years. 

"The show reaches 1.1 million every day and 2.7 million every week."

If the viewing figures continue on an upward trajectory, ITV may decide to keep the programme going for a good few years or more. 

It's 15/8 that Lorraine will be axed in 2028 and 2/1 that that will happen in 2029 or later. 

And it looks highly unlikely, at 5/1, that the show hits the cutting room floor later this year, before the 2026 plans even take place. 

Loose Women Stars' Shock 

Loose Women may also fall by the wayside at the end of next year. 

With more than 100 episodes set to be cut, a third of the presenters and panellists attached to the show are expected to lose out on shifts. 

A source close to one of the Loose Women veterans told The Sun newspaper: "A lot of the older panellists have lived through rumours of cuts and through the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, which hit ITV hard - and they weathered that.

"But this was completely unexpected, and it came out of nowhere."

The Loose Women stars are said to have five months to "prove their worth and sing for their supper".

When Will Loose Women Be Axed Odds

But even if they make it to Loose Women's slimmed-down 2026 episodes, how long will the show have left?

It's 6/5 favourite that the programme is axed next year, and 13/8 it makes it to 2027 before being shelved. 

Amid the ITV Daytime rumours, the channel has said: "We will not comment on speculation. Our daytime schedule and shows remain exactly as they are until the end of this year.

"We have always said our intention is to keep our daytime shows as familiar to viewers as possible, which includes seeing presenters they know and love."

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.