ITV's Lorraine Kelly finally addresses tax payout that said she was 'playing the role of Lorraine'

20.01.2022 - 20:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Lorraine Kelly has finally addressed her 2019 tax tribunal case.

The TV host made headlines when she won a £1.2 million battle with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

But it was the judge's comment that got people talking, instead of the ruling itself.

They said that Lorraine "presents a persona of herself", and agreed that she was not an ITV employee and instead was hired to perform "the role of a friendly, chatty and fun personality".

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The Scottish presenter, 62, has now told The Guardian that she was happy to address the case "because I’ve never got my chance to put my side of the story across," and that: "I don’t want people to think I would do anything to get out of paying what I should be paying."

She added: "I’m a firm believer in the NHS, a firm believer in better education and housing and looking after people who can’t help themselves.

"I was brought up in a very working-class background where you pay your dues."

Lorraine also told the paper she could “live with” the mirth prompted by the ruling, which suggested she was essentially playing the role of Lorraine Kelly.

The HMRC had argued that she is effectively an ITV employee and should be subject to income tax and National Insurance payments.

But the judge ruled she was hired for her services as an entertainer and was in control of both her working day and her show.

"We were satisfied that Ms Kelly presents a persona of herself, she presents herself as a brand and that is the brand ITV sought when engaging her,” the judge said.

"All parts of the show are a performance, the act being to perform the role of a friendly, chatty and fun personality."

Lorraine told