A Lorraine star has returned to the ITV show after major surgery and weeks off screen. 

Dr Hilary Jones, 72, who is the Health Editor on Lorraine, regularly appears on the programme to give viewers advice about anything medical. 

But he's been away from the studio for a while after undergoing a serious operation. 

During Monday's instalment of Lorraine, step-in host Christine Lampard, 46, pointed out his return and said: 'Now, welcome back though... I feel like there should be a big round of applause for this. Dr Hilary is back in the studio. 

'It's so lovely to see you because you've been off. You've had a little op!'

Dr Hilary replied: 'I had a little operation on my hip. Yes I had a hip replacement five weeks ago, tomorrow. '

'Hip replacement surgery (sometimes called total hip replacement) involves replacing damaged parts of your hip joint with metal, plastic or ceramic parts,' the NHS states.

It is commonly done to 'treat pain and stiffness in the hip joint'.

Dr Hilary continued: 'Look it's great to be back with my extended family. I've missed you guys!'

'Well you're looking great,' Christine told him. 

Dr Hilary replied: 'Well I'm feeling great. There I was... that was the day after I had my hip replacement. It's such a good operation. 

'I think people tend to leave it too long. They are in a lot of pain for a long time with limited mobility and that mans their muscles become weaker.

'So rehabilitation takes longer.

'I was very lucky to have this done on the NHS. Wonderful treatment. I had a spinal anesthetic so I was semi conscious during the procedure. 

'It takes about an hour and a half. I was up that evening, I was doing stairs the next day and then home the next day. 

'I had my rehab like a good patient, like a good doctor should be. 

'I'm all singing, all dancing again. I would encourage people to not leave it too long!' 

The doctor made it clear that he knows that people can be on waiting lists for certain procedures done by the NHS. 

He continued: 'Now I know waiting lists are long and a lot of people have been waiting far, far too long for their hip replacement. 

'But I used something called  Patient Choice. 

'So this is everybody's right on the NHS to search around if you can find a hospital in England that has a shorter waiting list than the one you are on, you can be referred to that hospital and get done more quickly.

'That's what I did. 

'I went to Birmingham, you just go onto the NHS website and look for Patient Choice and look for my planned care, which tells you which hospitals have shorter waiting lists. 

'If you're prepared to travel you can go to any hospital which is seeing NHS patients. That will sometimes include private hospitals with capacity to see NHS patients.'

Lorraine was keen to know how he has been feeling.

The doctor said: 'It's very important to do your physiotherapy I was fairly fit before. 

'I had some discomfort in the joint, I have done a lot of activity over the years. 

'It had worn out. Doing everything I want to do, back in the gym, cautiously to start with.

'But I'll get back to complete normal activities and all the things I want to do very soon.' 

 Dr Hilary has worked with Lorraine for a whopping 35 years.

And he's recently lifted the lid on what her 'true colours' are.  

He told the Express: 'Oh she's lovely. Lorraine - people often say, "What is Lorraine really like?" and I say she's exactly as she comes across.'

The father-of-five sang Lorraine's praises, adding: 'She's engaging, she's interested in people, she's genuine and she's great fun.

'I've worked with her for over 35 years, and she's written her books as well, so we've read each other's books.

Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.