Lorraine Kelly has addressed reports that a 'suspicious item' that forced ITV off-air had been addressed to her.
On Thursday This Morning viewers were left wondering what had happened when the programme returned from the break to find hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield in different clothes from minutes earlier and introducing a pre-recorded programme.
"Welcome to This Morning. As we can’t be with you live today we have lined up some of our best bits to enjoy," Phillip said following a repeat of the show's opening titles as viewers flocked onto Twitter to share their confusion at the sudden change.
READ MORE: ITV issue statement after 'suspicious item' forced This Morning and Loose Women off-air
With the ITV daytime show already nearing an end, it was then time for Loose Women at 12.30pm which was also replaced by a pre-recorded episode.
Presenter Nadia Sawalha told viewers they were seeing a "very special episode" of the panel show, which would be showing the best bits of the Life Before Loose series and a tag had been written across the screen which informed those watching that it was a pre-recorded programme.
It was then reported that it happened amid a security alert at the two shows' Television Centre studios.
A spokesperson for ITV has now confirmed to the Manchester Evening News : "Due to a suspected security alert, the building which ITV daytime broadcast from was safely evacuated. The issue has been resolved and staff have returned to the building following the all clear from the police."
The spokesperson added: "We apologise for the interruption to the schedule and we have now returned to normal programming."
A statement from the Metropolitan Police on Thursday afternoon also confirmed also confirmed that it "was reported a suspicious item had been discovered."
It was then later reported that the suspicious item had been addressed to Lorraine Kelly, which ITV didn't address in their statement.
But appearing on Good Morning Britain to tease what was coming up on her self-titled ITV show, Ben Shephard quickly asked the question as Kate Garraway tried to introduce their ITV co-star.
"Sorry, Lorraine... just quickly. Were you responsible for the evacuation?" he asked. "I was reading the newspaper and apparently, what was it? A pair of suspicious underwear or something was delivered?"
Lorraine, 62, then replied: "No, it was apparently, I am told... somebody from a film company sent me a wee present and it had a battery in and when they x-rayed it, it looked a bit suspicious."
She added: "But it was all fine and dandy and it's all ok."
"It's lovely to know people are worried about you and taking care of you," Kate replied. "Exactly, it shows the system work so that's fantastic," Lorraine said back.
"Tell you what thought, the crew from This Morning were thrilled to bits because they all got to stand outside for a few hours," Ben joked.
"I know, what a shame," Lorraine said before reiterating; "At least it shows the system works."
This Morning's Phillip later told his millions of Instagram followers that the incident was a false alarm and that they were eventually allowed back in the building - but not before making a trip elsewhere first.
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