ITV's daytime schedule was thrown into disarray on Wednesday after a power failure forced the cancellation of live editions of Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women. The disruption stemmed from an issue in the wider area around the broadcaster's Covent Garden studio, with Good Morning Britain continuing to air until 10am.
Schedule Changes and On-Air Announcements
Good Morning Britain presenters Susanna Reid and Ed Balls told viewers their programme would stay on air until 10am, followed by a compilation of This Morning's best bits. Ed announced: "We'd normally be finding out from This Morning about their show, but unfortunately there's no show. There's no show, but we're going to be here until 10, which is the most exciting." Susanna added: "After which, you'll have the chance to relive some of This Morning's best bits."
Viewers turned to X to question the unexpected changes, with many asking: "What's going on? ? ?" The disruption was caused by technical problems following a power failure, reports the Mirror.
ITV Statement and Presenter Response
ITV said in a statement: "Following a power cut overnight in the wider area where our Covent Garden studio is based, we are unable to broadcast Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women live today. We will return to our normal schedule as soon as possible."
Lorraine Kelly also explained why her programme had been cancelled, saying on Instagram: "Hello there, I'm on my way to work, but there's been a little bit of a hoo-ha. There's a power outage at the studio, so my show won't be on today. But you can still watch GMB. They're going to fix it around 11 o'clockish. So, This Morning will still be on as well, just a bit later. It's a bit of a shame. I was really looking forward to Sharleen Spiteri from Texas, but we shall reschedule, and it'll all be fine. I will see you tomorrow!"
She wrote alongside the post: "These things happen. Can't be helped. See you tomorrow." Although Lorraine had expected This Morning to go ahead later, Susanna and Ed confirmed that its live edition would be replaced by a 'best bits' compilation.
Viewer Reactions and Technical Glitches
Viewers also took to X to discuss the disruption, with one posting: "Ahh, the gremlins have got in! #ThisMorning." Another wrote: "@itv all over the place today.. no #lorraine cutting #gmb off."
A third asked: "There is no power cut listed at the #lorraine studios in covent Garden @ITV what's going on? #gmb." Further technical problems affected GMB during an advertising break. Some viewers saw only the ITV logo on an otherwise blank screen instead of adverts.
When the programme returned, Susanna apologised: "We do have to say sorry to some of our viewers who have been affected by technical issues during our ad break. Frankly, who knows what might happen between now and 10! It's a kind of rollercoaster, isn't it?" Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women usually air on ITV at 9.30am, 10am and 12.30pm respectively.
