Lorraine Kelly's ex boss accuses ITV star of lying and says big break story is 'absolutely untrue'

Lorraine Kelly's version of her entrance into the world of television has been set straight by a TV executive of the time who claimed her account was completely untrue

Broadcaster Lorraine Kelly's account of entering into the world of television has been discounted by a former TV executive.

The TV star, 64, who kick started her career back in the eighties, opened up in a new ITV documentary which celebrated her 40 year career. And in the documentary, she thanked ITV for giving her the chance to become who she is today.

And while fans of the daytime TV star would be willing to accept her praise of others, it seems TV presenter, Anne Diamond's ex -husband has more to say. Mike Hollingsworth, who was a TV executive and Director of Programmes at the time, claims he was integral in Lorraine becoming a household name.

In the documentary, Lorraine is seen saying that she was relatively unknown as a junior in a regional office. And she then took it upon herself to call the breakfast station's managing director, who asked her to jump on a train to London. And then she got a job.

But Mike, who is now a retired TV executive, said Lorraine had forgotten steps in her initial journey. In the documentary, he challenged her account that she was hired by TV-am in 1984 because the TV station was run by "an Australian" who was not dissuaded by her Glasgow accent. Mike claimed that he had first hired Lorraine.

The former husband of Anne Diamond told the MailOnline: "Once again she credits the late Australian MD of TV-am with giving her the chance of a job. This is absolutely untrue - in fact the reverse was the case. Gyngell didn't initially like my choice because of her Scottish brogue but I took a stand against his view.Q" He added: "I am a bit miffed that she constantly refers to her beginnings as if Bruce Gyngell was the author of them. I'm not saying that I was solely responsible - I'm just saying that some recollections may vary."

In the hour long documentary, friends and family of the presenter paid tribute to the TV star. Speaking of her early career, she said: "The big boss pulled me into the office and I thought he was going to offer me a job.I remember him taking his glasses down and looking at me and said: 'You're never going to make it in television - not with that accent. You're going to have to get elocution lessons. It's not going to happen' - and I was crushed."

But determined to become a name she explained: "I found out there was a job going at TV-am. I picked up the phone. I asked to be put through to the big boss. He said 'Oh yeah. Come down, come down for an audition. So I went down, did the audition and as the boss was Australian he didn't hear a working class Glasgow accent. He just heard a Scottish accent and gave me the job which was amazing because you didn't have people sounding like me on the telly at that time."

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