Prince Philip: Coronation Street, Eastenders and Emmerdale cancelled tonight as BBC and ITV stop shows

The schedules of television programmes on major channels in the UK will change tonight, to mark the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
By Lloyd Bent
Published 9th Apr 2021, 15:19 BST
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ITV announced changes to its Friday schedule this afternoon, following the announcement of the Prince’s death.

It 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.”

Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip dies at Windsor Castle as Queen expresses ‘deep sorrow’

Duke of Edinburgh pointing the way as he and Queen Elizabeth II met guests at a garden party to mark 50 years of his award scheme at Buckingham Palace - PADuke of Edinburgh pointing the way as he and Queen Elizabeth II met guests at a garden party to mark 50 years of his award scheme at Buckingham Palace - PA
Duke of Edinburgh pointing the way as he and Queen Elizabeth II met guests at a garden party to mark 50 years of his award scheme at Buckingham Palace - PA
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Programmes include a specially commissioned film, Prince Philip: Duke Of Edinburgh, featuring “personal testimony” and “rich archive content” and a documentary special, Prince Philip: A Royal Life.

What is happening to TV tonight?

The BBC also said that planned programming had been suspended following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

“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,” it said.

Coronation Street, Eastenders and Emmerdale have all been cancelled following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.

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Instead, the channels have made the decision to air special programmes about his life as a mark of respect.

Channel 4 aired a special edition of Channel 4 News but resumed regular programming.

How did ITV and BBC announce 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.

BBC presenter Martine Croxall appeared to fight back tears as she broke the news of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh on air.

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The journalist was anchoring the BBC News channel when Buckingham Palace confirmed the news.

Her voice trembled as she said: “You’re watching BBC News. We have just received a statement from Buckingham Palace confirming that the Duke of Edinburgh has died.

“The statement says: ‘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’.”

Related topics:BBCITV