Lorraine Kelly reveals how she's coping with 'empty nest' syndrome since daughter Rosie left home

(Image credit: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Lorraine Kelly has spilled the beans on how she’s trying to fill the void after her daughter moved thousands of miles away.

The TV presenter has revealed how much she misses her daughter, Rosie, 23, who is currently working and living in Singapore.

Recalling the first time her daughter left the family home six years ago to go to university in Edinburgh, Lorraine said, "I cried all the way home. Although it was the beginning of her big adventure it was the end of her relying on my husband Steve and I for everything.

“After she graduated and then left to work in Singapore (where she has been for more than two years) I’ve kept her room exactly the same so that it feels that she will come back home any second.

“I miss her but I’m so proud that she had the gumption and confidence to travel and work abroad.

“It was so important we brought her up to be independent, but it didn’t make things any easier when she flew the nest."

Lorraine added to The Sun, "It’s tough to let your children go, but you need to let them fly.”

Since Rosie's move, Lorraineand her husband have downsized, moving into a boathouse in Buckinghamshire.

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The star admits she's shared her pain of missing Rosie with celebrity friends, saying, "I was talking to Dawn French, whose daughter, Billy, is a bit older than Rosie, about this just the other day.

"We raise them to be headstrong, independent women. But then when they grow up and leave us to become strong, independent women, it’s like… oh. OK. It’s a wrench."

But a new addition to their family, around Christmas, has filled some of the void for the TV celebrity.

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In December they welcomed Angus, their new border terrier puppy, to the family. Since the addition Lorraine has shared many pictures of the little dog on social media - even introducing Angus to her celebrity guests.

The 58- year-old mother of one knew that the pet pooch couldn't replace Rosie, but wanted some more company, "We were settled in our new place, but it still felt like there was something missing," she said.

"Our last dog Rocky died four years ago, aged 12, and we were heartbroken. I do know that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas but there were all sorts of good reasons for getting him then, including Rosie coming home."

And even though she misses Rosie, Angus has reminded her how great it is to be a dog owner again. "Borders are great wee characters and really popular. He’s been on TV with me and was really good, but although we’re all mad about him he is properly trained and we’re in charge."

Jenni McKnight is a beauty, lifestyle and entertainment journalist and a regular contributor to woman&home, having previously worked as Acting Senior Content Editor of our former sister site, CelebsNow. She has also written for HELLO! Magazine, GoodToKnow, the Daily Mirror and Yahoo!