An ITV star who has worked alongside Lorraine Kelly for a staggering 35 years has revealed what she's truly like when not under studio lights.

GP and presenter Dr Hilary Jones works on the hit breakfast programme Lorraine as a Health Editor.

Having worked closely with the Scottish presenter, the 72-year-old has lifted the lid on what her 'true colours' are.

He told the Express: 'Oh she's lovely. Lorraine - people often say, "What is Lorraine really like?" and I say she's exactly as she comes across.'

The father-of-five sang Lorraine's praises, adding: 'She's engaging, she's interested in people, she's genuine and she's great fun.

'I've worked with her for over 35 years, and she's written her books as well, so we've read each other's books.'

Hilary has just released his third fiction book, Under Darkening Skies, and revealed the pair often swap work and exchange notes.

It comes as ITV reveal they will have to make brutal cost-saving cuts - axing presenters and removing beloved shows. 

And Lorraine is reportedly ready to take drastic measures in a bid to save her long-running show.

The host, 65, who has frequently let other presenters stand in for her, will now front her show five days a week after its running time was slashed from 60 to 30 minutes.

In addition, the programme, which previously ran year-round, will now also air for just half of the year.

And now a source has told The Mirror: 'Lorraine was not happy about what is happening and also had concern for the production team which will be cut back too.

'But the truth is she has to roll her sleeves up and work harder on her own show than she has in recent years, otherwise the long-term future does not look good.

'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.'

ITV claims that it is slashing the budgets of its daytime TV shows in a bid to increase long-term profitability amid changes in viewer habits and a move towards streaming services.

The insider explained that while the Scottish host is a staple of daytime TV, changes have to be made in the current climate.

Lorraine will now be vying to get the biggest name celebrity guests on her couch so that she can compete with other major talk shows like This Morning and Good Morning Britain.

ITV has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

The changes come amid a huge cull of roles at ITV, which will result in hundreds of job losses.

Now, anger is reportedly mounting behind the scenes after This Morning escaped the ITV cutbacks announced this month amid a schedule shake-up and overhaul at the channel.

ITV announced on May 20 that there would be dramatic changes to their daytime TV schedule, with Lorraine's show slashed from an hour to 30 minutes and, like Loose Women, will only air 30 weeks of the year.

Anchors Ruth Langsford and Kaye Adams, both 65, and presenters Nadia Sawalha, 60, and Denise Welch, 66, are believed to be 'angered' and 'panicked' about their livelihoods being at stake, causing uproar behind the scenes.

Top TV talents including Lorraine are believed to be 'furious' and 'insulted' over the shake-up while the Loose Women are already fearing inevitable job losses.

The new regime, set to come into effect in January, will cost a potential 300 staff members their jobs as a consultation period begins as soon as today, lasting until September, before employees are finally let go in December.

But now there is reportedly growing resentment that This Morning is going to be unaffected despite scandals in recent years including Phillip Schofield's affair with a much younger colleague.

Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX