Sunday Brunch pulled off air at the last minute amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic


Sunday Brunch pulled off air at the last minute as producers say they can’t put health of presenters and crew ‘at risk’ amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic

  • The chat show was due to air on Sunday at 9:30am but was taken from the schedule amid heath concerns for the crew
  • The Sunday Brunch’s Instagram account uploaded a statement confirming the show had been taken off air for the time being 
  • The statement read: ‘We are sad to say that Sunday Brunch will not be on this morning as billed’
  • It also said: ‘We put the health and safety of our team above all else and cannot at this time record the show without risk to our presenters and crew’
  • Guests for the abruptly cancelled episode were set to be Richard Blackwood, Jamie Bamber, Jimmy Akingbola and Fleur East 
  • An old episode of Food Unwrapped starring Jimmy Doherty aired at 9:30am as a replacement, before a repeat of Come Dine With Me at 10:30am 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Sunday Brunch has been pulled from Channel 4’s schedule at the last minute due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The chat show, hosted by Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer, was due to air on Sunday at 9:30am but was taken from the schedule amid heath concerns for the crew.

The Sunday Brunch’s Instagram account uploaded a statement confirming the show had been taken off air for the time being. 

Cancellation: Sunday Brunch has been pulled from Channel 4’s schedule at the last minute due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic 

It read: ‘We are sad to say that Sunday Brunch will not be on this morning as billed.

‘We put the health and safety of our team above all else and cannot at this time record the show without risk to our presenters and crew.

‘We very much hope to be back live on Sundays soon.’

Guests for the abruptly cancelled episode were set to be Richard Blackwood, Jamie Bamber, Jimmy Akingbola and Fleur East. 

Decision: The Sunday Brunch's Instagram account uploaded a statement confirming the show had been taken off air for the time being

Decision: The Sunday Brunch’s Instagram account uploaded a statement confirming the show had been taken off air for the time being 

Health: The chat show, hosted by Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer, was due to air on Sunday at 9:30am but was taken from the schedule amid heath concerns for the crew

Health: The chat show, hosted by Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer, was due to air on Sunday at 9:30am but was taken from the schedule amid heath concerns for the crew

An old episode of Food Unwrapped starring Jimmy Doherty aired at 9:30am as a replacement for the chat show, before a repeat of Come Dine With Me at 10:30am.

Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA completes the stand-in line-up at 11:30am before a return to scheduled programming at 12:30pm.

Several fans of the series took to social media to react to the show being pulled at the last minute.

While many were sad to not be able to enjoy the show, all viewers agreed TV bosses had made the right decision.

Reaction: Several fans of the series took to social media to react to the show being pulled at the last minute and all agreed it was the right decision

Reaction: Several fans of the series took to social media to react to the show being pulled at the last minute and all agreed it was the right decision

One fan said: ‘We would all rather you guys are safe. You’ll be missed,’ while another added: ‘Right thing to do, stay safe.’

Another viewer wrote: ‘Just switched on and noticed you’re not on the planner. Stay safe and see you on the other side.’

Another said: ‘Sensible decision even though Sunday morning will not be the same but nothing is the same right now.’ 

Ghost town: On Saturday, Sunday Brunch presenter Simon had taken to Twitter and remarked on how deserted London seemed as the pandemic continues to rage across Britain

Ghost town: On Saturday, Sunday Brunch presenter Simon had taken to Twitter and remarked on how deserted London seemed as the pandemic continues to rage across Britain

Back soon: Reacting to the news of the show being pulled off air, Simon said: 'Sad day we couldn't broadcast. But safety comes first. Back asap

Back soon: Reacting to the news of the show being pulled off air, Simon said: ‘Sad day we couldn’t broadcast. But safety comes first. Back asap

On Saturday, Sunday Brunch presenter Simon had taken to Twitter and remarked on how deserted London seemed as the pandemic continues to rage across Britain.

Which UK shows have stopped filming?

EastEnders

Line Of Duty

Peaky Blinders

Doctors

Casualty

Holby City

River City 

Pobol y Cwm 

Vera 

Call The Midwife 

The Only Way Is Essex 

He wrote: ‘Driven to that London for @SundayBrunchC4 it was a pleasant country drive. Now London is a ghost town. Tough times but it’s the only way to beat it.’

Reacting to the news of the show being pulled off air, Simon said: ‘Sad day we couldn’t broadcast. But safety comes first. Back asap.  

Sunday Brunch is far from the only programme that has been affected by the coronavirus crisis.

ITV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale are also reducing their number of weekly episodes in a bid to ration shows they’ve already filmed.

The station also confirmed members of the cast aged over 70s are being written out over coronavirus pandemic as bosses ‘adhere to all government guidelines.’ 

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway aired without a studio audience for the first time this weekend, and Loose Women has also aired without a studio audience. 

Meanwhile, several other shows include Holby City, Casualty and The Only Way Is Essex have halted filming altogether. 

Several sporting events, gigs and other social gatherings have been either cancelled or postponed due to the crisis. 

The coronavirus has killed 233 people and infected 5,018 in Britain so far, with both tolls rising rapidly every day.