TV channels have cancelled their scheduled programming to air tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh following the news of his death.
The BBC suspended its schedule across BBC One, BBC Two and the News channel until 6pm to air special programmes about the senior royal.
The much-anticipated MasterChef final, which was due to air tonight on BBC One, will also not air at 8.30pm this evening due to programme rescheduling.
Following the BBC News at Six, BBC One will air a special programme titled HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Remembered.
That will be followed by A Tribute to HRH Duke of Edinburgh at 9pm before the BBC News at Ten. The tribute programme will be repeated at 11.30pm.
BBC Two will mirror BBC One with the notable exception of Newsnight from 10.45 to 11.30pm.
BBC Four is suspended on Friday while BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live will continue with special programming reflecting the life of the royal.
A statement from the corporation said: ‘With the sad news that HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died, there is now special coverage across all BBC networks to mark his life of extraordinary public service and planned scheduling has been suspended.’
ITV also made schedule changes following the news.
TV channels have cancelled their scheduled programming following the news of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. Pictured, leaving the National Army Museum in London on March 16, 2017
The much-anticipated MasterChef final, which was due to air tonight on BBC One, will also not be on this evening due to programme rescheduling. Pictured, judges John Torode, Gregg Wallace
The BBC suspended its schedule across BBC One, BBC Two and the News channel until 6pm to air special programmes about the senior royal. Pictured, a look at today’s scheduling dedicated to the news of Prince Philip’s death
Entertainment show This Morning, which was being presented by Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, was interrupted and Loose Women was scrapped.
Eamonn Holmes was mid-way through an interview with Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall when he cut in to say: ‘Sorry I have to interrupt you for some very, very important news because we now, viewers, have to end This Morning and go straight to the ITV newsroom for more.’
ITV newsreader Lucrezia Millarini then appeared on the screen to announce the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
She told viewers: ‘Good afternoon we are breaking into programmes to bring you an announcement from the Royal Household. In the last few moments we have received the following significant statement.’
She then proceeded to read the statement from Buckingham Palace which said: ‘It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
‘His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.’
The channel said ITV News will broadcast continuous coverage throughout the afternoon ‘celebrating Prince Philip’s life, his unique contribution to British history, and looking back at his decades of service to the Queen and the country’.
ITV news’ presenter was also dressed in black as she interrupted the channel’s regular schedule to break the news
Sky News’ presenter was also dressed in black as she interrupted the channel’s regular schedule to break the news
At 4pm it will air a specially commissioned film, Prince Philip: Duke of Edinburgh, narrated by James Mates, which will use personal testimony and archive content to tell the story of Philip’s life and times.
At 6pm ITV will air regional and national news, which will continue to cover reaction to the news and at 7pm Julie Etchingham and Phillip Schofield will host a live programme called Prince Philip, Fondly Remembered, when the presenters will talk to those who knew him about his personality and his passions.
Royal editor Chris Ship will present documentary special, Prince Philip: A Royal Life at 9pm, in which he visits key locations around the world to tell the story of his life, before an extended News at Ten at 10pm.
Channel 4, meanwhile, aired an obituary programme at 4pm and will feature an extended 90-minute news broadcast at 7pm.
Channel 4’s usual peak time schedule will then resume with The Circle final at 10pm.
Martine Coxall was wearing a top and a lengthy piece of jewellery around her neck on the BBC’s rolling news channel minutes before the announcement
