News that doctors were “concerned” about Queen Elizabeth II’s health on Thursday lunchtime threw long-planned U.K. broadcast schedules into disarray almost immediately – and the disruptions will likely continue for weeks.
The statement from Buckingham Palace, issued at 12.30pm local time, was unprecedented and experienced broadcasters immediately realized the situation was serious. U.K. Parliament had been informed about 10 minutes earlier, with Prime Minister Liz Truss and leader of the opposition Keir Starmer discreetly passed notes detailing the situation in the House of Commons.
BBC One was the first network to break programming some 10 minutes after the statement was published. An episode of “Bargain Hunt” – a long-running series which sees two teams competing to cheaply source antiques and flip them for a profit – was interrupted by BBC newsreader Joanna Gosling, who said: “Welcome to viewers on BBC One. We have had news from Buckingham Palace that the Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral.
The statement from Buckingham Palace, issued at 12.30pm local time, was unprecedented and experienced broadcasters immediately realized the situation was serious. U.K. Parliament had been informed about 10 minutes earlier, with Prime Minister Liz Truss and leader of the opposition Keir Starmer discreetly passed notes detailing the situation in the House of Commons.
BBC One was the first network to break programming some 10 minutes after the statement was published. An episode of “Bargain Hunt” – a long-running series which sees two teams competing to cheaply source antiques and flip them for a profit – was interrupted by BBC newsreader Joanna Gosling, who said: “Welcome to viewers on BBC One. We have had news from Buckingham Palace that the Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral.
- 9/9/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96 on Sept. 8, after it was announced that she was unwell and under medical observation at Balmoral Castle, with Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry, and other senior royals by her side. Understandably, the entire world is mourning the long-ruling monarch - Elizabeth reigned for 70 years, and was the only UK royal leader for many people's lifetimes.
Since the death of the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, in April 2021, questions about the Queen's well-being were top of mind. Queen Elizabeth was, of course, the head of state for 16 nations. So what actually happens now that the Queen has died? From a comedy TV ban to black ties worn by newscasters, read ahead for the official plan that has been in place since the 1960s.
What Does "London Bridge Is Down" Mean?
Fittingly, the plan in place (which has been in development since the 1960s) is called Operation London Bridge.
Since the death of the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, in April 2021, questions about the Queen's well-being were top of mind. Queen Elizabeth was, of course, the head of state for 16 nations. So what actually happens now that the Queen has died? From a comedy TV ban to black ties worn by newscasters, read ahead for the official plan that has been in place since the 1960s.
What Does "London Bridge Is Down" Mean?
Fittingly, the plan in place (which has been in development since the 1960s) is called Operation London Bridge.
- 9/8/2022
- by Corinne Sullivan
- Popsugar.com
Peter Sissons, a legendary BBC news presenter, died last night at the age of 77. His death was reported by the BBC, citing his management company, with the news organization noting that Sissons “died peacefully” in Maidstone Hospital in Kent.
Sissons worked at ITN before joining the BBC in 1989, where he went on to anchor major news bulletins and host flagship current affairs show Question Time.
BBC director general Tony Hall said, “Peter Sissons was one of the great television figures of his time – as an interviewer, presenter and world-class journalist.
“During his distinguished career he was one of the most recognizable and well-respected faces of television news. He was always a great person to be with and to work with. He will be missed by his many friends and colleagues and our thoughts are with his family.”
Sissons is survived by his wife and three children.
Sissons worked at ITN before joining the BBC in 1989, where he went on to anchor major news bulletins and host flagship current affairs show Question Time.
BBC director general Tony Hall said, “Peter Sissons was one of the great television figures of his time – as an interviewer, presenter and world-class journalist.
“During his distinguished career he was one of the most recognizable and well-respected faces of television news. He was always a great person to be with and to work with. He will be missed by his many friends and colleagues and our thoughts are with his family.”
Sissons is survived by his wife and three children.
- 10/2/2019
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
We're about 95 percent convinced that Queen Elizabeth II is going to live forever, but as she is 92 years old (and turning 93 on April 21!), it's probably time to face the fact that her 67-year reign will eventually come to an end. Needless to say, her passing will be chaos. For at least 12 days, life in the UK will all but come to a standstill, with stock markets and banks likely to close and the economy likely to lose billions of pounds in earnings.
But let's forget the economic repercussions for a moment - what about the effect that her passing will have on the people of the British Commonwealth (as well as the rest of the world)? The vast majority of British people have never known life without the queen, and it only makes sense that while the economy is disrupted, more trivial matters should be, too. It might seem crazy,...
But let's forget the economic repercussions for a moment - what about the effect that her passing will have on the people of the British Commonwealth (as well as the rest of the world)? The vast majority of British people have never known life without the queen, and it only makes sense that while the economy is disrupted, more trivial matters should be, too. It might seem crazy,...
- 9/17/2019
- by Corinne Sullivan
- Popsugar.com
Simon Brew Apr 6, 2017
It's 20 years since the Spice Girls headed to the big screen for their solo movie. And we've taken a look back...
I don’t think Spice World: The Movie is as good as Inception.
This winter marks the 20th birthday of a film that many had sneered at before its release, and many continue to sneer at now. Boasting a hard-won 3.4/10 score on IMDb, Spice World: The Movie pops up from time to time in lists slamming films involving pop stars, or, if it’s lucky, it appears on the ‘guilty pleasure’ carousel. For added fun, the late Roger Ebert had it as one of the films that he most hated. Yikes.
I don’t believe in guilty pleasures, personally, and have written about that before. Nor do I agree with Roger. For I do enjoy Spice World: The Movie for what it is: a daft, breezy,...
It's 20 years since the Spice Girls headed to the big screen for their solo movie. And we've taken a look back...
I don’t think Spice World: The Movie is as good as Inception.
This winter marks the 20th birthday of a film that many had sneered at before its release, and many continue to sneer at now. Boasting a hard-won 3.4/10 score on IMDb, Spice World: The Movie pops up from time to time in lists slamming films involving pop stars, or, if it’s lucky, it appears on the ‘guilty pleasure’ carousel. For added fun, the late Roger Ebert had it as one of the films that he most hated. Yikes.
I don’t believe in guilty pleasures, personally, and have written about that before. Nor do I agree with Roger. For I do enjoy Spice World: The Movie for what it is: a daft, breezy,...
- 4/3/2017
- Den of Geek
A friend and I once came up with something called “The 98% rule”, which states that 98% of things – especially people – aren’t worth bothering about. Instead, you should celebrate and cherish the 2% you find worthwhile. So whilst the majority of television these days is made up of a tired mish-mash of soaps, panel shows, reality shows and programmes about professionals, amateurs, celebrities or children that can cook, that when something different comes along, it’s worth celebrating the 2% originality.
Step forward Charlie Brooker, whose wonderfully warped Black Mirror series returns for a three episode run this week. Brooker’s been gathering momentum for well over a decade now, and has remained one of the most original and entertaining writers, commentators and presenters in the UK. Here’s my list of his 10 finest moments…
10. TVGoHome
The Brooker entry point (that already sounds like a late night drama series) for me was this...
Step forward Charlie Brooker, whose wonderfully warped Black Mirror series returns for a three episode run this week. Brooker’s been gathering momentum for well over a decade now, and has remained one of the most original and entertaining writers, commentators and presenters in the UK. Here’s my list of his 10 finest moments…
10. TVGoHome
The Brooker entry point (that already sounds like a late night drama series) for me was this...
- 2/8/2013
- by Tim Colman
- Obsessed with Film
Peter Sissons has announced that he is to retire as a newsreader this summer. The 66-year-old said that he will concentrate on writing his memoirs, though he did not completely rule out a future return to TV. Sissons said: "I do feel I'm still on top of my game and I still enjoy it. I don't know how much I'll miss it until I stop but I don't think I'll be sitting in a darkened room. "I've started my memoirs but I haven't got past the early years yet. I haven't got a title in mind, (more)...
- 6/12/2009
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
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