Lorraine Kelly admitted she wishes "more politicians were human beings" following Nicola Sturgeon's last ever interview as First Minister of Scotland.
The 63-year-old Scots broadcaster opened her show on Monday morning with a live chat with the outgoing FM, ahead of the announcement of her replacement later this afternoon. Sturgeon, 52, was on good form as she told the Glasgow-born telly legend that, while she feels "excited" and "scared" following her decision, she's confident it's the right time for her to step down.
When asked by Lorraine how she was feeling, Sturgeon told her it was bittersweet and she was feeling emotional: She said: "I'm feeling a mix of emotions. I've learned over the last few days it's possible to have all sorts of contradictory feelings simultaneously.
"I know this is the right decision. I don't regret this decision. I know this is the right time for me to step away and embark on the next phase of life."
She added: "I'm also feeling a bit emotional, a bit sad. I'm going to miss the job. More than anything I'm going to miss the people I've worked with over these past few years who have literally kept me going every single day. A bit of a swirl of emotions this morning."
Asking Sturgeon what her next steps are following her resignation as First Minster, Lorraine noted that her husband Peter Murrell had also resigned. "Is it going to be a little reset for both of you? As well as yourself?" The Scots host asked.
"I think it's going to be a reset of my entire life," Sturgeon quipped. "I've been doing frontline politics for almost all of my adult life. I don't really know anything else. I'm going to have to take a bit of time to adapt and transition to find a different balance to life.
"I expect there will be good days and bad days. Immediately, I'm still in parliament for the foreseeable future so that will be a focus and priority but I'm looking forward to maybe getting a lie in at some point. Catching up with friends.
"Just slowing down a little bit and working out what I want to do next. And how I can continue to make a contribution in a very different capacity to some of the issues I really care about.
"It's exciting but also a bit scary and I guess that's a good thing."
Lorraine added that she "can't see" Sturgeon "being the kind of woman who sits there with her feet up" as she steps down as First Minister. "I might sit with my feet up for a wee while and enjoy the novelty of it," Nicola replied.
"I'm only 53 so I'm not about to retire. I'm not the kind of person who will take easily to sitting around all day doing nothing but I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm still going to be in parliament until the next election at least so that's a full time job representing my constituents."
While Sturgeon strongly shut down speculation she would make a 'comeback' to frontline politics, she didn't rule out a book when asked by Lorraine. The FM said: "Maybe, watch this space."
Following the interview, Lorraine said: "I wish more politicians were human, is all I'm saying."
Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on STV.
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