'This Morning' and 'Loose Women' go off air amid security concerns

This Morning and Loose Women confused viewers on Thursday by abruptly going off air - amid concerns over a security risk outside of the studios.

The popular daytime shows were scheduled to run as usual, but after This Morning's final commercial break the programme returned to air a pre-recorded episode that had been shown during lockdown when live broadcasts were not going ahead.

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It was then followed by an old lockdown episode of Loose Women that aired with the caption "this is a pre-recorded programme" on screen as the panellists discussed their early lives and careers.

Both shows tweeted: "We apologise for the break in live programming today. We are currently running pre-recorded content and hope to be back with you soon."

Meanwhile, people in the Wood Lane area of London where the studios for both shows carry out filming told of a security risk that had left the area evacuated and completely cordoned off.

One person tweeted: "Anyone know what’s going on outside television centre Wood Lane? Trying to get there for a shoot and all roads are closed. Rozzers everywhere."

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Someone else replied: "evacuated apparently", while another passerby posted a photo of police guarding a cordon across the street.

Transport for London confirmed they were looking into a security threat in the area as they tweeted: "White City and Wood Lane stations closed: While the police respond to a security alert outside the station."

Viewers were confused by the sudden change in schedules.

One person tweeted: "What the hells happened to This Morning for the last 15 mins of the show. It's now a repeat show? So confused went to make a brew.. came back to a repeat??"

Someone else speculated: "Someone has pressed the wrong button #ThisMorning"

Another person wrote: "Something must of happened at the studio because loose women is in the same studio and that’s a repeat too #ThisMorning"

A spokesperson for ITV said: "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. We apologise for the interruption to the schedule and we have now returned to normal programming."

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