Prince Philip dies at 99: Eamonn Holmes pays tribute as This Morning is pulled off air

Eamonn Holmes pays tribute to Prince Philip as This Morning is pulled off air after announcing the royal’s death


Eamonn Holmes was forced to bring This Morning to an immediate end on Friday following the death of Prince Philip. 

The broadcaster, 61, broke the news alongside wife and co-host Ruth Langsford as they interrupted an interview with Coronation Street‘s Alan Halsall to abruptly end the show.

After the daytime programme had cut to ITV News, Eamonn took to Twitter to pen: ‘HRH Prince Phillip has died . #RIP’

Sad news: Eamonn Holmes was forced to bring This Morning to an immediate end on Friday following the death of Prince Philip

Eamonn made the announcement with half an hour of This Morning still scheduled to air, interrupting a bemused Alan. 

He explained: ‘Alan, I’m sorry but I have to interrupt you for some very important news. We now viewers have to end This Morning and go straight to the ITV News room for more’.

The screen immediately cut to ITV news where a broadcaster, Lucrezia Millarini, confirmed that the Duke of Edinburgh had passed away. 

RIP: Philip spent his final days at Windsor Castle with his wife after a 28-night stay in hospital having been admitted in mid-February for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition

RIP: Philip spent his final days at Windsor Castle with his wife after a 28-night stay in hospital having been admitted in mid-February for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition

Tribute: After the daytime programme had cut to ITV News, Eamonn took to Twitter to pen: 'HRH Prince Phillip has died . #RIP'

 Tribute: After the daytime programme had cut to ITV News, Eamonn took to Twitter to pen: ‘HRH Prince Phillip has died . #RIP’

Loose Women, which had been due to air at 12.30pm was subsequently also pulled as ITV ran a special on the royal’s death.   

Philip spent his final days at Windsor Castle with his wife after a 28-night stay in hospital having been admitted in mid-February for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition.

Her Majesty announced her husband’s death at midday as the Union Flag was lowered to half-mast outside Buckingham Palace and on public buildings across the UK and Commonwealth.  

Cut off: The broadcaster, 61, broke the news alongside wife and co-host Ruth Langsford as they interrupted an interview with Coronation Street's Alan Halsall to abruptly end the show

Cut off: The broadcaster, 61, broke the news alongside wife and co-host Ruth Langsford as they interrupted an interview with Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall to abruptly end the show

The Royal Family said in a statement: ‘It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

‘His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss’.

A frail Philip was last seen leaving hospital on March 16 and his death plunges the nation and the Royal Family into mourning, and brings to an end Philip’s lifetime of service to Britain and to Elizabeth, the Queen who adored him since her teens. 

The couple shared their 73rd wedding anniversary last November and he was due to turn 100 on June 10 this year.

Tragic: The screen immediately cut to ITV news where a broadcaster, Lucrezia Millarini, confirmed that the Duke of Edinburgh had passed away

Tragic: The screen immediately cut to ITV news where a broadcaster, Lucrezia Millarini, confirmed that the Duke of Edinburgh had passed away