BBC has confirmed the latest changes to its TV schedule following the Queen's death. It was broadcaster Huw Edwards who delivered the news of the Queen’s death live on BBC One on Thursday (September 8) .
After an image of the flag at Buckingham Palace was shown at half mast, he told viewers: "A few moments ago Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II." Edwards, who was dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, in line with the BBC's dress code for when a member of the royal family dies as a mark of respect, then read out the statement from Buckingham Palace which announced the news.
In line with protocol, as set out in Operation London Bridge, a plan which sets out all the steps that must be followed following the Queen's death, the announcement was made by Buckingham Palace, which was first given to the Press Association and the BBC. The Palace said in a brief statement: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
READ MORE: Moment Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard open ITV Good Morning Britain morning after the Queen's death
The BBC suspended its usual programming just after 12.30pm on Thursday when Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying royal doctors were concerned for the monatch's health.
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.
The rolling news coverage, titled a BBC News Special, has since continued and will continue on Friday (September 9), it has been confirmed. The broadcasterwill air blanket coverage of the Queen’s death on BBC One until 6.30pm.
Meanwhile, BBC Two has also faced changes to the schedule. While the channel is not broadcasting blanket coverage of the Queen's passing, it has made changes to its planned programming for the day. Fand of the BBC' soap EastEnders will be able to watch on the secondary channel at 7.30pm.
Over on ITV, Good Morning Britain, hosted by Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard, aired in its usual slot with coverage of the Queen, including tributes and news on what happens next. The from 9am until later in the evening viewers will be able to watch an extended ITV News Special. At 8.39pm, a programme titled Queen Elizabeth II - The Longest Reign, will air.
Presented by Jonathan Dimbleby, the programme is an authored tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, charting her historic reign, from its unlikely beginnings, through the splendour of the coronation, the triumphs and tragedies of the 20th century, to the present day.
Using a powerful archive, this feature-length documentary examines the vital role Elizabeth has played both at home, during a period of rapid social and cultural change, and abroad, leading Britain and the Commonwealth on the international political stage. This will then be followed by ITV News At Ten.
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