Lorraine Kelly has said broadcasters with years of experience under their belts should “pay it forward” and help the next generation get into television.
It comes as the Scottish presenter was honoured with a special award at the TV Baftas on Sunday evening for her outstanding contribution to the television industry.
Presented the award by fellow Scot and actor Brian Cox, Kelly used her speech to urge people to “not pull up the ladder” to those from working class backgrounds looking to break into the television industry.
Speaking to STV News on Monday following her award win, Kelly said it was important to her to highlight the issue in her speech.
She said: “Do you know, I think that was really important, to be honest with you, I can hardly remember what I was going to say. I thought there’s no point in trying to prepare something because so many things happened during the night that you want to refer to.
“But because it was Brian that gave me the award and I didn’t know what was going to be him. We are, you know, we do come from very similar backgrounds, you know him in Lochee in Dundee, and me from The Gorbals and Bridgeton.
“We’ve got a lot in common and we were very lucky to get opportunities. And I just wanted to make the point that, I hope that you know, other kids from the same background get the same opportunities and for people that have got experience, have been lucky enough to be around like me for 40 years, pay it back. You know?
“Pay it back. Because actually it’s the best possible thing that you can do. No point in having loads of experience if you don’t pay it forward.”
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