ITV has left a mysterious gap in its regularly scheduled programming tonight, with speculation that a mystery celebrity at the centre of sex allegations could be named. The unnamed celebrity lost his bid for an injunction to prevent the publication of allegations including sexual misconduct against him and yesterday missed a deadline to take his case to the Court of Appeal.
Legal Action Against ITN and Guardian
The man had brought legal action against Independent Television News (ITN), which produces news programmes for ITV, Channel 4, Good Morning Britain and Channel 5, and Guardian News and Media (GNM), publisher of The Guardian.
From 8:35pm to 9:05pm, Radio Times has earmarked ITV as 'Channel Off Air' before resuming programming with It'll Be Alright on the Night. The blank slot is titled "Channel Off Air" (Image: ITV). Emmerdale occupies the 8:05pm slot shortly before the scheduled break, with Coronation Street currently missing from the schedule.
Viewer Speculation Over Schedule Gap
One person said: "Why is Radio Times showing ITV1 as channel off air from 20:35-21:05 tonight when other TV guides show an episode of Coronation Street?" Another said: "The TV guide on the Radio Times website currently has ITV1 scheduled as 'Channel Off Air' at 8:35pm tomorrow (Tuesday). Wonder what they'll be filling that 30 minutes with."
There is also speculation that the touted 30-minute gap could be extended as It'll Be Alright on the Night is a show that could also easily be moved. Another TV fan wrote: "It'll Be Alright on the Night is a notorious "filler" program too that can normally be edited to length or cancelled completely without people moaning."
Allegations and Injunction Bid
Coronation Street appears to have been removed from the schedule (Image: ITV). Lawyers for ITN and GNM previously told the High Court in London the claims they want to report involve the man's alleged "abuse of power and status" to contact young women and try to engage in "inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities".
The celebrity, who denies the allegations, sought an injunction to prevent this broadcast and publication because of a risk that he would take his own life, after two previous suicide attempts. Daily Star has approached ITV for comment.
