EastEnders, MasterChef and Coronation Street among shows cancelled as BBC and ITV pull programmes after death of Prince Philip
ITV has also pulled the plug on episodes of shows such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale following the Duke of Edingburgh’s passing aged 99.
Instead, 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.
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Hide AdProgrammes include a specially commissioned film, Prince Philip: Duke Of Edinburgh, featuring “personal testimony” and “rich archive content” which will air at 5pm and a documentary special, Prince Philip: A Royal Life at 9pm followed by an extended news at 10.
The BBC 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.”
Shows including Masterchef, Gardener's World and Eastenders were due to be broadcast on Friday – but now none of those will be aired.
BBC Radio 6 has also been cancelled.
ITV has cancelled Coronation Street and Emmerdale as well as A Touch Of Frost.
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Hide AdChannel 4, however, will broadcast Gogglebox and the Circle as planned.
Buckingham Palace announced Prince Philip’s death just after midday on Friday (April 9) issuing a statement that spoke about how the royal family joined with people across the globe “mourning his loss”.
The Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces 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.
“Further announcements will made in due course.
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Hide Ad“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
The Duke married Princess Elizabeth II in 1947, five years before she became Queen, and was the longest-serving consort in British history.
In a tribute to him, Westminster Abbey will toll its tenor bell once every 60 seconds, 99 times, from 6pm on Friday evening.