Scottish morning television presenter Lorraine Kelly delivered emotional news to viewers during Thursday's broadcast of her ITV programme, announcing the immediate departure of her co-star Tyler West from the show's entertainment segment. A visibly moved Kelly confessed to her audience, "I can't bear it," as she revealed this would be West's final day on the programme.
Schedule Changes Prompt Departure
The announcement comes shortly after ITV implemented numerous modifications to its broadcasting timetable in the new year, following a series of budget reductions across the network. These schedule adjustments have created conflicts for several presenters, leading to this significant on-air change for the popular morning show.
New Breakfast Show Commitment
West's departure stems from his new role as presenter of the KISS FM Breakfast show, which he will co-host alongside Love Island graduate Chloe Burrows. The broadcaster explained that this demanding new position simply leaves him insufficient time to continue his regular contributions to Lorraine Kelly's morning programme.
The KISS FM breakfast slot represents a significant career move for West, who takes over from previous hosts Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely. The duo had fronted the early morning programme since 2020 before dramatically abandoning their positions back in December.
West's Broadcasting Career
Tyler West, who currently maintains a presenting position on KISS during afternoon slots, expressed considerable enthusiasm about his new morning show opportunity. The broadcaster previously commented about his upcoming role, stating: "Kiss Fam! The mornings are going to be unreal! It's time for big laughs and bigger tunes. KISS is where home is - this is your new breakfast show where the door is always open. It's going to be carnage!"
The well-liked programme will now compete directly with established breakfast shows including Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James and Capital Breakfast, hosted by Chris Stark, Jordan North and Sian Welby.
Recent Television Success
West has been enjoying considerable professional success recently following his appearance on Celebrity Race Across the World, where he secured an impressive second place alongside his fiancée, EastEnders actress Molly Rainford. The couple came agonisingly close to victory in the challenging competition, finishing merely two minutes behind winners Roman and Harley Moon Kemp.
Their participation involved undertaking a demanding 5,900-kilometre, 33-day expedition across Central America, travelling from Mexico to Colombia with limited financial resources and without access to mobile phones throughout the journey.
Personal Challenges Shared
Last December, the broadcaster became emotional during a podcast appearance as he courageously disclosed that he had attempted to take his own life after witnessing a traumatic murder during his teenage years. West recounted that he was only 14 years old when he observed a dispute between two "local alcoholics" turn violently fatal from his bedroom window.
Describing how witnessing this brutal incident left him with "PTSD that I just couldn't get rid of" during an appearance on Paul C. Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, he revealed that the experience continues to impact him profoundly years later. West reflected: "My reaction to it all was no, I can't talk about it and that was probably the worst decision I ever made, like not talking about it... Because it built up a lot, like it was just, let's sweep it under the carpet to the point that then it was unavoidable."
Lorraine Kelly concluded Thursday's broadcast by paying tribute to West's contributions to her programme, marking the end of his regular appearances on the popular morning show as he transitions to his new breakfast broadcasting role on KISS FM.
