TV schedules changed after the death of Prince Philip

Watch: The Duke of Edinburgh dies, aged 99

The MasterChef final has apparently been pulled from Friday night’s TV schedule after the death of Prince Philip.

The eagerly anticipated finale was due to air on BBC One this evening, but the broadcaster's planned television schedule appears to have been cleared.

The BBC and ITV both interrupted their regular programming to cover the sad news, and special programmes are expected to run for several hours.

Read more: Piers Morgan leads tributes to 'truly great Briton' Prince Philip

Other shows expected to be affected include Emmerdale, Coronation Street and The One Show.

Michelle Visage was due to be presenting The One Show with Alex Jones this evening but tweeted after hearing about the Prince: “This will no longer be happening in light of the death of Prince Philip.

"Thank you.”

A BBC spokesperson told Yahoo: “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 Royal Family announced the death of the Duke of Edinburgh earlier today.

When the news was announced, ITV’s This Morning came to an abrupt end.

Coronation Street's Alan Halsall was being interviewed but presenter Eamonn Holmes interrupted and said: "Sorry I have to interrupt you for some very, very important news because we now, viewers, have to end This Morning and go straight to the ITV newsroom for more."

Loose Women, which was due to follow on ITV, was then cancelled.

The Prince passed away at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.

The 99-year-old had recently returned home after spending a month in hospital, where he underwent a heart procedure.

The post on the Royal Family’s official Instagram said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Read more: Prince Philip: The story of a devoted husband to his beloved 'Lilibet' Queen

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

Watch: Prince Philip was Queen's 'stable rock', says expert