GOOGLEBOX fans noticed a “quick” Prince Philip edit on the show, after Channel 4 faced a backlash over not changing their schedule to reflect his death.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the Queen for 73 years, passed away “peacefully” at Windsor Castle this morning at the age of 99.
Read our live blog for the very latest news on Prince Philip’s death…
Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale were all cancelled last night following the news of the Queen’s husband’s passing.
But Channel 4 still went ahead with scheduled programming, which did not go down well with viewers.
To make up for still airing their shows, they quickly got Gogglebox narrator Craig Cash to re-record the opening to the show to reflect the Prince’s death.
Opening last night’s episode he said: “In the week where we said goodbye to His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.”
But fans immediately commented on the “quick” response from Channel 4 to edit last night’s episode, in the wake of not cancelling their scheduled programming.
One wrote: “In the week we bid farewell to Prince Philip, the Duke or Edinburgh…’ Blimey #Gogglebox got that in quick!”
While this one said: “Wait did the #Gogglebox voice over just reference Prince Philip being dead? Did they have an advance viewing copy?”
Another viewer tweeted: “Weird start to #Gogglebox… ‘In the week we lost Prince Philip, we watched some great TV’.”
Meanwhile, the BBC and ITV suspended all other viewing yesterday, apart from news programmes.
A BBC spokesperson 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 News 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.
At 5pm a specially commissioned film, Prince Philip: Duke of Edinburgh aired, followed by the news and then a live programme called Prince Philip, Fondly Remembered.
At 9pm ITV will air a documentary special, Prince Philip: A Royal Life, followed by an extended news at 10.
The BBC made the decision to suspend all non-news programming and will instead air special programmes regarding the late Prince until 6pm.
Yesterday ITV also cut This Morning early to announce the sad news.
During an interview with Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall, Eamonn Holmes 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 came on screen to announce the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
She then read the Queen’s statement about her 99-year-old husband.
The statement from Buckingham Palace 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. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
The royal passed away two months and one day short of what would have been his 100th birthday.
The Duke of Edinburgh had been married to the Queen for 73 years.
