The popular TV presenter threw her weight behind the campaign after being approached by recently retired firefighter Eddie Thomson, who is co-ordinating the Fire Brigade Union’s fight to save the existing service.

In a message of support, she said, “When cutbacks are made to the emergency services it could cost lives.

“Surely it isn’t worth the risk.”

Balmossie serves Broughty Ferry, Barnhill and Monifieth. Tayside Fire and Rescue proposes to downgrade it from a 24-hour station to one providing only daytime cover, with part-time firefighters dealing with overnight blazes.

Responding to Lorraine Kelly’s support for the campaign against the plan, Mr Hunter said, “I am disappointed that Lorraine Kelly has used her public profile in this way.

“I would have thought that with her professional position in the media she would have been aware that there are always at least two sides to every story and the least she could have done was give me the opportunity to discuss this issue with her before taking such a public stance.

“This proposal will enable Tayside Fire and Rescue to deliver even higher standards of community safety and emergency response services to all communities across Tayside.

“The communities we serve have a right to expect high quality services from Tayside Fire and Rescue.

“They also have a right to expect a service which delivers value for money.

“This proposal meets both of these community expectation and I look forward to discussing this more fully with Lorraine Kelly.”

Lorraine, who presents a popular weekday television programme from London, was not available to comment on Mr Hunter’s criticism.

Mr Hunter said the change to Balmossie would allow the brigade to have a third appliance in Perth and provide a new tender in Forfar.

It was not a cost-cutting exercise, he insisted.

He said the proposal would make the most effective use of the brigade’s resources and would free up officers to spend a further 21,000 hours each year spreading the fire safety message.

This fire prevention role was, in fact, the key to saving more lives, Mr Hunter argued.

However, he has still to convince critics of the plan, who fear it raises serious safety issues in the east of Dundee. The proposal has not gone down well with local residents and businesses and, as well as winning the high-profile support of Lorraine Kelly, the campaign’s online petition has already collected more than 200 names.