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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

BBC One suspends usual programming as news of Queen's health forces News Special

BBC One had suspended all its usual and planned programming following the news that the Queen is under medical supervision. Buckingham Palace issued a statement on Thursday afternoon (September 8) saying royal doctors were concerned for health.

It comes after the 96-year-old monarch, who celebrated 70 years on the throne in June, pulled out of a virtual Privy Council on Wednesday, a day after appointing Liz Truss as PM at Balmoral Castle.

A Palace spokesperson said in a statement issued at 12.32pm: "Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."

READ MORE: ITV Loose Women viewers complain as show continues on despite news of Queen's health

The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall cleared their diaries and immediately headed to the Queen’s home in the Scottish Highlands. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were due to attend the WellChild Awards ceremony in London on Thursday evening, but have changed their plans to travel to see the Queen.

This afternoon, BBC One pulled Bargain Hunt off air and replaced it with rolling news coverage following Buckingham Palace's statement. The show is typically broadcasted weekdays on at 12:15pm to 1pm on BBC but was removed to announce that officials had released a statement regarding the Queen's health.

BBC suddenly pulled the programme less than 10 minutes into the scheduled show where one of the programme's newsreader then delivered the news. "Welcome to viewers on BBC One," she said. "We have had news from Buckingham Palace that the Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral."

The Queen is said to be 'comfortable' at Balmoral (Getty Images)

TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan tweeted the moment and said: "Here is how BBC One interrupted programming to report on The Queen’s health." It now appears the BBC will continue to air rolling news coverage as according to the broadcaster’s TV schedule, BBC News at Six is due to air in its usual slot.

Meanwhile, the shows that were due to air on BBC One are said to have moved over to BBC Two instead, with Doctors currently being shown, followed by Money For Nothing.

Political figures and celebrities have been sharing their thoughts and well-wishes with the Queen. Ne Prime Minister Liz Truss said: “The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime. My thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time.1

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle interrupted the speech of SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford during the energy debate in the House of Commons to tell MPs: "I know I speak on behalf of the entire House when I say that we send our best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and that she and the royal family are in our thoughts and prayers at this moment." He added: "If there is anything else, we will update the House accordingly."

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