Viewers "furious" as BBC One replaces 'Homes Under the Hammer' with Theresa May's resignation speech
Daytime television viewers were upset after the BBC replaced ‘Homes Under the Hammer’ with Theresa May’s resignation speech.
Fans of the home renovation and auction series said they were “furious” that the BBC decided to move the latest episode – scheduled for 10am on BBC One – over to BBC Two, in order to air the Prime Minister’s statement to the public.
Theresa May has announced she is standing down as Prime Minister on 7 June.
In an emotional speech, Mrs May said she had ‘done her best’ to deliver the result of the EU referendum.
Theresa May’s tearful announcement that she would be stepping down was met with sympathy and support by many on Twitter. However, ‘Homes Under the Hammer’ fans made their upset feelings clear on Twitter.
Read more: Is Boris Johnson going to be the next Prime Minister?
“I'm absolutely furious.. this news has ruined my day.. thanks to this event they moved Homes Under The Hammer to BBC2 and I didn't know.. nearly missed it,” tweeted one user.
I'm absolutely furious.. this news has ruined my day.. thanks to this event they moved Homes Under The Hammer to BBC2 and I didn't know.. nearly missed it 😠😠
— G (@staffilad) May 24, 2019
Another Tweeter said, seemingly addressing the PM: “Couldn’t you have done this at 11 I’m missing Homes Under The Hammer. #theresamayresigns. Worst PM ever.”
Couldn't you have done this at 11 I'm missing Homes Under The Hammer. #theresamayresigns. Worst PM ever.
— Joe Shipman (@shipmanjoe84) May 24, 2019
A third Tweeter complained: “Homes under the Hammer was put on Beeb2!! Argh I missed some.”
Homes under the Hammer was put on Beeb2!! Argh I missed some
— Loulabelle (@louisejanepaton) May 24, 2019
“Missing Homes Under The Hammer because of this! #May,” tweeted another disgruntled viewer.
Missing Homes Under The Hammer because of this! #May
— Smiffy (@Smudger_69) May 24, 2019
Read more: Theresa May resigns as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party
For some viewers, the political development held interest, but they’d really much rather be watching ‘Homes Under the Hammer’, instead of the speech.
“I’m glad May is resigning soon but this speech is interrupting my watching of Homes Under the Hammer so if she can wrap it up asap I’d appreciate it,” said one user.
I'm glad May is resigning soon but this speech is interrupting my watching of Homes Under the Hammer so if she can wrap it up asap I'd appreciate it.
— Rei (@B0YKIE) May 24, 2019
The audience was calmed by the realisation that the show hadn’t been cancelled in favour of the PM’s heartfelt speech, just moved over to BBC 2.
“ahhh, order restored. Homes under the hammer on BBC 2,” tweeted one helpful TV fan.
ahhh, order restored. Homes under the hammer on BBC 2
— Rachel Clarke (@rachelclarke) May 24, 2019
Some viewers even saw a little comedy in the situation.
“Homes under the Hammer alerted to new real estate at Downing Street #Trexit,” said one Tweeter.
Homes under the Hammer alerted to new real estate at Downing Street #Trexit pic.twitter.com/4KUxcycwTs
— Mark Heffernan (@MarkHeff90) May 24, 2019
The episode involved the ‘Homes Under the Hammer’ presenters exploring properties in Norfolk, Liverpool and Kent – including a house with an outside toilet in Maidstone, Kent.
The series is the BBC's most successful show in the 10am slot. It attracts around 1.5 million viewers per episode, and is on BBC One every weekday.