BBC One and Two cancel all scheduled programmes - Here's why
BBC ONE and TWO have cancelled the scheduled programming for Friday night following the death of Prince Philip.
Prince Philip: Westminster Abbey tenor bell begins tolling
The whole of BBC One and Two’s schedule on Friday evening to air special reports on Prince Philip death and reflect on his long life. Those hoping to tune into The One Show, EastEnders and the MasterChef final will be disappointed to find they will not be broadcast.
The BBC explained: “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.”
The schedule across the BBC is as follows:
BBC One
7.30pm - HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Remembered
9pm - A Tribute to HRH Duke of Edinburgh
10pm - BBC News at Ten
10.45pm - BBC Regional News
10.55pm - Weather
11pm - What the Papers Say
11.30pm - A Tribute to HRH Duke of Edinburgh (R)
12.25am - Weather for the Week Ahead
12.30am - BBC News
BBC Two
As BBC One, except:
7-7.30pm - BBC News
10.45-11.30pm - Newsnight
BBC Four
BBC Four will be suspended on Friday 9 April 2021
BBC Radio
BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live will continue with special programming reflecting the life of the Duke of Edinburgh, while our music networks are broadcasting amended schedules
ITV have also cleared their schedule for dedicated news coverage from 5pm.
Prince Philip: Duke of Edinburgh was narrated by journalist James Mates and included personal testimonies and archive content to remember the Duke’s life.
This was followed by the local weather before a live programme hosted by Julie Etchingham and Phillip Schofield, Prince Philip: Fondly Remember.
Airing from 7pm, it looked back on the Prince’s life as those closest to the Duke recalled fond memories of the Duke.
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Meanwhile, Channel 4 has faced backlash after it appeared to snub Prince Philip by continuing to air Come Dine With Me.
Viewers flocked to Twitter to slam the channel as Come Dine With Me, A Place in the Sun, Gogglbox and The Circle Final were still scheduled to be broadcast.
One fan posted: “Channel 4 is disgusting and insensitive, they have carried on with their usual programming ‘Find It, Fix It, Flog It’ instead of running segments on the death of Prince Philip like the other major broadcasters. It’s unbecoming of Channel 4 and a national broadcaster.”
A second continued: “Saddened by the lack of coverage so far on Channel 4 and that you’ve pretty much ignored it.
“Hope that when the Queen dies, you won’t just continue to play Come Dine with Me repeats like you have today.”
Someone else posted: “BBC and ITV both interrupt the current programme to announce the news of Prince Philip’s passing.
“Meanwhile on Channel 4 Couples Come Dine with Me is on like nothing’s happened.”