ITV Daytime hosts share heart-warming Mothering Sunday memories in a celebration of maternal love

As Mothering Sunday dawns on 30th March 2025, ITV’s cherished Daytime presenters have taken a moment to reflect on the profound impact of the maternal figures in their lives.

In a heartfelt tribute, the hosts of Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning, and Loose Women share their earliest and most treasured Mothering Sunday memories, revealing the family traditions that have endured through generations and the lessons that continue to guide them.

From Susanna Reid’s steadfast adherence to family customs to Linda Robson’s multigenerational celebrations, these powerhouse women open their hearts—and their family photo albums—to celebrate the essence of motherhood.

The Significance of Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday, traditionally observed on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the UK, has its roots in the 16th century when people returned to their ‘mother’ church for a special service.

Over time, it evolved into a day to honour mothers, a tradition that remains deeply ingrained in culture. For ITV’s Daytime hosts, this day is not just about celebration but also about reflection, gratitude, and the enduring bonds that tie families together. As they share their stories, they highlight the universal language of love that defines motherhood, whether through a simple gesture like a handmade card or a grand family gathering.

Susanna Reid: A Legacy of Compassion and Tradition

For Susanna Reid, Mothering Sunday is a sacred family tradition steeped in history. “It’s a really important tradition in my family. I love spending time with my mum, we don’t call it Mother’s Day, I always make sure I get her a card which says Mothering Sunday,” she explains. This practice, which began with her grandmother’s insistence, underscores the importance of heritage in the Reid family. “It was something my grandmother insisted on, and that’s a tradition that we keep and we stick to in our family,” she adds, her voice warm with nostalgia.

Reid cherishes the moments when her sons join in the celebration. “I absolutely love spending time with Mum on Mothering Sunday, of course, but I especially love it when the boys remember and come in with flowers and a card, and we always make sure to spend time together,” she says. Her mother, a nurse for over 60 years, remains a towering influence. “She looks after all of us in the family, and whenever anyone’s got a health concern, Mum’s always the first port of call,” Reid shares.

At 78, her mother abseiled for the Evelina Children’s Hospital to raise funds, a testament to her adventurous spirit. “I’ve always been inspired by her caring, compassionate spirit and her boldness and sense of adventure,” Reid reflects.

This year, Reid plans to gather as many family members as possible for a special outing. “I’m taking Mum out with as many of the family as we can gather together,” she says, looking forward to a day filled with laughter and connection. For Reid, Mothering Sunday is a reminder of the influential role that mothers play. “The mums in our family are really influential and important, of course, and we love to take the time to celebrate them,” she concludes.

Kate Garraway: A Journey of Joy and Remembrance

Kate Garraway’s most cherished Mothering Sunday memory takes her back to 2006, just 16 days after the birth of her daughter Darcey. “I remember my very first Mother’s Day. I remember feeling so overwhelmingly lucky to be a mum. Even though I barely qualified as she was just 16 days old, Derek made a huge fuss of me with a little card from Darcey saying ‘best mum in the world’,” she recalls, her voice tinged with emotion.

Sharing the day with her own mother, who was thrilled to become a grandmother, deepened their bond. “My mum and I have always been close, but this was a wonderful new connection,” Garraway adds.

The handmade gifts from her children hold a special place in her heart. “I remember the first card Darcey made all by herself for me. It was a crayon squiggle which somehow ended up looking sort of like the letter D and a heart—if you squinted your eyes!!” she laughs. Her late husband Derek’s playful declaration that Darcey was a genius at just two years old remains a cherished memory. “I still have that card in a frame on the wall alongside Bill’s first too. They are so special,” she says.

Garraway’s mother has been a source of wisdom throughout her life. “Generally, she has always encouraged me to see the other person’s point of view and says, ‘Always remember if someone is treating you badly, it is probably as much about them as you—you never know what another person is really dealing with in their lives—so be gentle and kind,’” Garraway shares. This advice has guided her through both personal and professional challenges.

This year, Garraway plans to spend the day with her family, a poignant occasion following the loss of her husband Derek in 2024. “This year, I am not a hundred percent sure, but we are definitely going to all be together,” she says.

Reflecting on last year’s celebration, which coincided with Darcey’s 18th birthday, she recalls cooking for 30 friends and family, including both her and Derek’s mothers. “It was extra special and poignant as it was only weeks since Derek had passed away,” she shares. This year, she’s hoping for a more relaxed gathering, humorously noting, “I have said to Darcey if it does get that big, we are getting a take-out!”

Charlotte Hawkins: A Day of Love and Simplicity

Charlotte Hawkins’ first Mothering Sunday as a mum in 2015 remains a highlight of her life. “My favourite Mother’s Day memory is from 2015, my very first as a mum. We had waited a long time for Ella-Rose, and had wondered if it would ever happen for us, so to be there celebrating being a mother was amazing, it was just so special,” she recalls, her eyes lighting up at the memory.

Hawkins also makes it a priority to honour her own mother, often meeting up for a meal or a meaningful outing. “I always get my mum a gift and a card, and we always meet up to celebrate together,” she says. One particularly memorable moment was a walk with her mother and daughter: “A couple of years ago, Ella-Rose and I met my mum for a walk, and a rainbow came out. It was so special!”

A beloved family tradition for Hawkins is breakfast in bed. “I remember over the years taking up a tray for my mum with a flower in a vase, and some breakfast treats,” she shares. Now, her daughter Ella-Rose continues the tradition, with varying degrees of culinary success depending on her age. “She’s been cooking more recently, so I have high hopes for this year. She’s not yet mastered a cup of tea though, so I’m hoping my husband will help out with that one!” Hawkins laughs.

Hawkins’ mother’s advice—“It always helps to get outside and blow the cobwebs away!”—has been a guiding light, encouraging her to find solace in nature during challenging times.

This year, Hawkins is looking forward to a surprise planned by Ella-Rose. “It’s a surprise what we’re doing on the day, I leave it to my daughter Ella-Rose to do the planning, so anything could happen!” she says with a grin. She also anticipates some much-needed relaxation: “I’m also looking forward to having some lovely relaxing family time, hopefully the chance to have a soak in the bath, with a scented candle and a good book.”

Ranvir Singh: Treasuring the Handmade and the Heartfelt

Ranvir Singh finds immense joy in the small, heartfelt gestures from her son. “As a parent myself, I think it’s those very early ones when they’re at nursery, and they do a handprint with a flower coming out of it, and the handprint is like the leaves, and they’ve scrawled on the inside little bits that they could just about write,” she says, her voice softening.

These keepsakes are so precious that she holds onto them year after year: “Those are the ones when you come to do your spring clean every year that you say ‘I’m keeping that one’.” Another standout memory is when her son, with the help of her babysitter, chose a butterfly necklace for her. “That was special,” she adds.

Singh’s Mothering Sunday celebrations often involve playful family moments. “On a previous Mother’s Day, my son and my partner did a sort of fried egg challenge, as I love a fried egg sandwich. They both made a sandwich with kimchi and all other things, and I had to choose which one was my favourite. My son won hands down, and that was a lovely fun moment,” she recalls with a smile.

Spending quality time together is her way of making the day special for her mother, who is renowned in their family for her culinary skills. “Because my mum is well known for being THE best cook in the WHOLE family, Mother’s Day is probably the one day of the year where we try to make sure she isn’t cooking for us,” Singh explains. “She is always cooking for everybody, all the time at the drop of a hat—even if she’s got nothing in the pantry, she magics something up.”

Her mother’s influence is profound, teaching her resilience and practicality. “The best piece of advice my mum has given me, or actually by osmosis by watching her, is spend what you earn,” Singh shares.

Growing up in a working-class family, she learned to make the most of what they had: “We made it go a long way and never really threw anything away, which basically means I’m a hoarder!” This year, Singh is hoping to visit a new deli with her family, a plan she’s hinted at to her pre-teen son. “I’ve sort of said I’d like to go to this new deli place. I think that will be fun, and I’m wondering whether we will actually go!” she says with a hopeful laugh.

Laura Tobin: The Beauty of Simplicity

Laura Tobin’s Mothering Sunday memories are rooted in the simplicity of childhood gestures.

“So for us, Mother’s Day is obviously about celebrating mums, so me and my brother would always do something little for my mum. As long as we made a card or made an effort, it didn’t have to be a big gesture,” she recalls. Now, as a mother herself, she finds joy in the efforts of her daughter and husband, who once prepared an afternoon tea in their conservatory. “My daughter and my husband made an afternoon tea, just in the conservatory, with homemade cakes and scones that you would never share with anybody else because your child has made them, but that’s more special for me than going out for an expensive slap-up dinner,” she says, her voice filled with warmth.

Tobin’s approach to Mothering Sunday gifts remains understated. “We never really go big on gifts for Mother’s Day. I think a handmade card is always nice,” she shares. She muses that her mother would likely appreciate a handmade card even now: “If I was to make my mum a handmade card, she would absolutely love it.” The most important aspect for Tobin is togetherness. “I have a brother, so I think it is all about making sure that we find the time to all be together,” she adds.

Her mother’s advice has been a guiding force: “Follow your dreams wherever they lead, don’t be distracted by less worthy needs… Be faithful, be loyal, and all your life true, the dreams that you follow will keep coming true.” Tobin carries this message in a card in her handbag, a constant reminder to pursue her passions. This year, she’ll begin her celebrations with her Beavers group, where her daughter Charlotte will craft a pot plant and card. “Then it will just be making sure that we’re all together,” Tobin says, emphasising the importance of family. “Just being together and making the time to say thank you, because it doesn’t matter how old you are, you always need your mum,” she reflects.

Lorraine Kelly: A Day of Joyful Simplicity

Lorraine Kelly’s first Mothering Sunday as a mum remains a cherished memory. “I think we all cherish our very first Mother’s Day. My husband Steve got a card and daffodils from Rosie for me, and it was really special,” she shares. This year, as her daughter Rosie celebrates her own first Mothering Sunday, Kelly anticipates the same joy. “This year it’s Rosie’s first Mother’s Day, and so I am sure it will be the same for her,” she says. She also treasures the handmade cards from Rosie’s nursery days: “I loved when she was in nursery and primary school and would make fantastic cards with drawings of the two of us. Those are the most precious things of all.”

For Kelly, the best Mother’s Day gifts are simple and heartfelt. “A homemade card, a bunch of daffodils, making a special breakfast, or if you’re a teenager—tidying up your room,” she suggests. She appreciates the thoughtful gifts from Rosie, such as a favourite book, a candle, or a spa voucher, and is hoping for her famous elderflower and lemon cake this year. Her mother’s advice continues to resonate: “Don’t keep anything for ‘best’. Use up that perfume, wear your best underwear and your favourite posh dress. Seize the day and enjoy it, but above all, treat others the way you want to be treated and be kind.”

This year, Kelly looks forward to a family lunch with Rosie, her husband Steve, and their daughter Billie.

“Nothing fancy, but it’s just good to all be together,” she says. While her family doesn’t have specific traditions, she emphasises the importance of showing appreciation: “It’s just a great way for all of us to say thank you to our mums, and if you really want to show your mum how much you love her, do the ironing!”

Alison Hammond: A Celebration of Laughter and Love

Alison Hammond’s favourite Mothering Sunday memory is a chaotic yet heart-warming breakfast in bed from her son Aidan. “Oh babes, it’s got to be when my Aidan was little and he made me breakfast in bed. Well, it was more like a cereal explosion and toast you could knock a door down with, but I loved every single bite!” she laughs.

The pride on Aidan’s face made the moment unforgettable. As a child, Hammond loved spoiling her own mother, whom she calls her “queen.”

“Every Mother’s Day was all about her, proper pampering and loads of laughs,” she recalls.

Hammond’s mother was all about quality time, and they would spend the day chatting, laughing, and enjoying delicious food. One year, Hammond gifted her a personalised dressing gown with “Queen” embroidered on the back. “I mean, she was the queen, so it was only right!” she says with a grin. As a mother, Hammond cherishes gifts from the heart, like a card with a poem from Aidan that brought her to tears. “Who needs diamonds when you’ve got that?” she asks.

Her mother’s wisdom continues to guide her: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, Ali. Life’s too short to worry about things that won’t matter in a week. Just keep smiling, keep laughing, and keep being you.” This year, Hammond plans to enjoy being spoiled by Aidan, possibly with a cheeky spa day. “But honestly, it’s all about feeling the love, remembering my mum, and just appreciating the amazing people in my life,” she says.

Reflecting on her late mother, she adds, “At the end of the day, Mother’s Day is about love, whether your mum’s here or watching over you. And believe me, my mum is definitely watching, probably laughing at me right now!”

GK Barry: A Playful Tradition with a Modern Twist

GK Barry brings a playful energy to Mothering Sunday, often outshining her brother who lives in America. “My brother lives in America, so I always look like the favourite child because Mother’s Day in America is a different day, and he always forgets, and sends flowers to Mum on the wrong day,” she says with a mischievous grin. “Whereas, on Mother’s Day, I am always there with flowers, which just makes me look extra good, which is just incredible.”

Barry’s way of making her mum feel special is through humour. “I will always give her a funny card about things like a hip replacement, or what care home I am going to put her in—just a funny thing,” she shares. Her mother’s advice has shaped her confident outlook: “Do whatever you want to do and don’t care what people think. She has always been very much like ‘I can do anything I want to do,’ and I think that’s really important.”

Their Mothering Sunday tradition is a relaxed yet indulgent one. “What we normally do is, I will take Mum out for lunch, and then we will open about five bottles of prosecco and go through it together—that’s our tradition,” Barry says with a laugh. It’s a day of bonding, laughter, and a touch of cheeky fun, reflecting the close relationship she shares with her mum.

Linda Robson: A Multigenerational Celebration

Linda Robson’s Mothering Sunday memories span generations, from her childhood with her sisters to celebrating with her daughter Lauren and granddaughters.

“When we were young, there were three of us, me and my two sisters, and we’d always make sure we celebrated Mother’s Day. We’d get Mum flowers and normally a candle or something, and we do the same now with my daughter Lauren,” she shares. Lauren, now a mother herself, joins the celebration with her two girls, alongside the girls’ other grandmother, Nanny Brenda. “I get on really well with Nanny Brenda, there’s some slight competition about who makes the best cakes or potatoes, but it’s all done in a fun way!” Robson laughs.

Robson’s mother was the heart of their family, always cooking for her children and grandchildren. “We’d take her somewhere really nice for lunch because she always cooked for us, and she’d make a big fuss about cooking for us as well,” Robson recalls. Her mother’s advice—“Just to treat everyone how you want to be treated yourself”—remains a guiding principle. Robson also shares a poignant memory of taking her mother to Rome for her 60th birthday, where they attended a papal blessing. “She said, ‘I never dreamed as a young girl growing up in Ireland that I would get to see the Pope!’ That was the best day of her life, I think,” Robson says, her voice filled with emotion.

This year, Robson looks forward to a family outing with her children, grandchildren, and extended family. “So the whole family, Steve’s [Linda’s son-in-law] Mum and Dad, me and the kids will all go out for Mother’s Day. They always get me some flowers as well, so that’s lovely,” she says.

The day is also a time to remember the mothers they’ve lost. “My mum used to love Mother’s Day and all the fuss that we made of her. We lost her in 2012, but we still think about her all the time,” Robson reflects.

A Universal Celebration of Maternal Love

From the heartfelt simplicity of a handmade card to the joy of a family gathering, ITV’s Daytime hosts remind us that Mothering Sunday is a time to celebrate the incredible women who shape our lives. Whether through laughter, shared meals, or quiet moments of reflection, these presenters honour the spirit of motherhood with gratitude and love. Their stories resonate with the universal truth that a mother’s influence is timeless, a legacy of care, wisdom, and unconditional love that endures across generations.

Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning, and Loose Women air weekdays from 06:00 till 13:30 on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player.