Eddie Izzard chokes up after Lorraine Kelly calls her ‘fantastic woman’ live on-air

Comedian said she is ‘fighting for the right to have a fair chance in life’

Eddie Izzard choked up live on air while thanking Lorraine Kelly for supporting her gender-fluidity.

Last month, Izzard's fans congratulated the stand-up comedy star after an appearance on Sky Arts series Portrait Artist of the Year in which the show’s host Stephen Mangan and contestants referred to Izzard as “she” and “her”.

It was the first televised appearance in which Izzard, 58, had been referred to with her chosen pronouns.

Speaking about her decision on Kelly’s ITV show, Izzard told the host that she had been asked by producers: “What would you like to be known as?”

“I thought, ‘I’d quite like to be she because I’m in girl mode,'” she said, adding: “Basically, it’s a request but never a demand. Some people twist that and some people get ate up about it.

“If people have a problem then just call me Eddie – it’s no big deal for me.”

However, Izzard said that she is “fighting for... the right to have a fair chance in life”.

In response, Kelly told Izzard: “You’re a fantastic woman and a fantastic human being. Thank so so much and good luck with all that you’re doing.”

Visibly emotional, Izzard replied: “And thank you for being so supportive… you really have been so supportive.”

Kelly also became tearful as Izzard told her: “It’s great that you’re there – you’re a very good person.”

In 2017, Izzard told The Hollywood Reporter: “I am essentially transgender. I have boy mode and girl mode. I do feel I have boy genetics and girl genetics.”

The comedian is currently preparing to run 31 marathons in 31 days for charity.