ITV’s daytime television schedule was disrupted on Wednesday after an overnight power outage affected the wider area around its Covent Garden studios, preventing the broadcaster from airing Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women live.
The disruption began during the morning schedule, with Good Morning Britain presenters Susanna Reid and Ed Balls informing viewers that Lorraine Kelly’s programme would not be broadcast as planned.
ITV later confirmed the cancellations in an online statement, saying: “Following a power cut overnight in the wider area where our Covent Garden studio is based, we are unable to broadcast Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women live today. We will return to our normal schedule as soon as possible.”
Cat Deeley Forced to Rinse Hair Dye With Bottled Water
The power failure also created an unexpected problem for This Morning presenter Cat Deeley, who was having her hair coloured at the Covent Garden studios when both electricity and water supplies stopped working.
With no running water available, her hairstylist, Chad Maxwell, had to use an 18.9-litre bottle of water to rinse the dye from her hair.
Deeley laughed as the stylist poured the water over her head, describing the experience by saying: “I’ve just been waterboarded. Because there is no electricity and there is no water.”
She later explained: “Interesting morning, we were colouring my hair but there’s no power anywhere.”
Maxwell joked that she should leave him a positive Google review for the unusual appointment. Deeley responded by asking: “Where do I leave the tip?”
Presenter Shares Footage of Unusual Hair Appointment
Deeley subsequently shared footage of the incident on social media, showing the improvised hair-washing process before revealing her freshly blow-dried blonde hair.
In her caption, she wrote: “No power. No water. The show must go on! @chadmaxwellhair & I will continue to colour my hair in the face of adversity…we’ll just get a little creative in the process clearly!”
Maxwell also joked about the experience, saying: “It’s a wrap everyone we survived, try again next time universe.”
Lorraine Kelly Confirms Her Programme Will Not Air
Lorraine Kelly also informed viewers that her programme had been cancelled while she was travelling to work.
In an Instagram video, the 66-year-old presenter explained that a power outage had affected the studio and that her show would not be broadcast that morning.
“Hello there, I’m on my way to work but there’s been a little bit of a hoo-ha, there’s a power outage at the studio, so my show won’t be on today,” she said.
Kelly initially expected Good Morning Britain to continue into her usual slot, with This Morning potentially starting later once the technical problems had been resolved.
She said the disruption was expected to be addressed at around 11am, adding that she had been looking forward to interviewing Sharleen Spiteri from the band Texas.
“We shall reschedule and it’ll all be fine and I will see you tomorrow,” she told her followers.
She accompanied the video with the caption: “These things happen. Can’t be helped. See you tomorrow.”
Good Morning Britain Extended as ITV Changes Its Schedule
Susanna Reid and Ed Balls announced that Good Morning Britain would be extended by 30 minutes to cover the time normally occupied by Lorraine, which airs from 9.30am to 10am.
The programme remained on air until 10am, although it also experienced technical problems during an advertising break.
Viewers saw the ITV logo displayed on screen instead of the usual commercials when the programme unexpectedly switched away from the live broadcast.
Reid apologised to those affected by the disruption, saying: “We do have to say sorry to some of our viewers who have been affected by technical issues during our ad break.”
She added: “Frankly, who knows what might happen between now and 10! It’s a kind of rollercoaster, isn’t it?”
This Morning Replaced With Previous Programme Highlights
Although This Morning was initially expected to begin later than usual, ITV eventually replaced its live broadcast with a selection of memorable moments from previous episodes.
The programme showed footage featuring presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, accompanied by an on-screen notice indicating that the content was pre-recorded.
Loose Women was also removed from the day’s schedule.
Ed Balls acknowledged the unusual situation during Good Morning Britain, telling viewers: “We’d normally be finding out from This Morning about their show, but unfortunately there’s no show.”
Viewers React to ITV’s Morning Disruption
The unexpected changes prompted reactions from viewers on X, with several commenting on the broadcaster’s disrupted schedule.
One viewer wrote: “ITV are having a mare This Morning.”
Another said: “ITV all over the place today – no Lorraine cutting Good Morning Britain off.”
Other comments included: “ITV off air at the moment all sorts going on” and “Ohhh, no This Morning today. Power cut in the Lorraine, Loose Women studios #GMB.”
Some viewers also questioned whether Good Morning Britain would continue beyond its extended slot after the technical problems affected the schedule.
ITV’s Daytime Programming Faces Further Changes
The disruption comes after ITV announced changes to its daytime television schedule earlier this year.
Under the planned adjustments, Lorraine is being reduced from a one-hour programme to 30 minutes and will air for only 30 weeks each year from 2026.
Loose Women will also be broadcast for 30 weeks annually.
During periods when Lorraine is not scheduled, Good Morning Britain will receive an additional 30 minutes, extending its broadcast from 6am until 10am.
