MasterChef final and EastEnders pulled from schedules as BBC plans Prince Philip tributes

ITV’s Emmerdale and Coronation Street have also been pushed back

The final of MasterChef has been pulled from the TV schedules as the BBC makes way for special programming on the late Prince Philip.

On Friday 9 April, Buckingham Palace announced the death of the Queen’s husband.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” the palace said in a statement.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

Following the announcement, the BBC cleared its schedule for the rest of the day on BBC One and BBC Two, meaning the planned broadcast of the MasterChef final will not air, and neither will this week’s fourth episode of EastEnders.

Have I Got News For You and The One Show have also been removed from the schedules, as well as ITV shows Emmerdale and Coronation Street. On Channel 4, a news special will air from 7pm but, at the time of writing, Gogglebox as well as The Circle final will air as planned.

“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,” the BBC announced.

It is unclear at this point when normal scheduling will resume on the channels.

ITV has also confirmed that they have changed schedules for this evening and will be broadcasting continuous coverage about his life as well as a live programme at 7pm called Prince Philip, Fondly Remembered.

At 9pm, a documentary called Prince Philip: A Royal Life will also be aired on ITV that will look into the royal’s extraordinary life.