Ruth Langsford has confirmed a big schedule shake-up for Loose Women this week. While the show normally airs weekdays, it has been announced that it will be off air on Thursday and Friday.
That's due to ITV's coverage of the Newmarket racing event, with Ruth sharing the news at the end of today's episode.
"That is it from us for today and for this week, actually, as we're off for ITV's coverage of the races," she told viewers. "We'll be back next Monday as usual at 12:30."
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Viewers will get an extra hour of This Morning beforehand, however, with the racing coverage due to kick off at 1pm, which is usually in the middle of Loose Women.
This isn't the first time Loose Women has been shaken-up up this year by racing. The Cheltenham Festival took precedence back in March for a week, while some Royal Ascot coverage took over last month.
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It comes after big changes were implemented in ITV daytime schedules this year, with Loose Women returning to its previous 12.30-1.30pm slot on a 30-week basis, while Lorraine now operates on a 30-week "seasonal basis". Good Morning Britain has also been extended by 30 minutes, and to an hour when Lorraine is off air.
"I recognise that our plans will have an impact on staff off screen in our Daytime production teams," Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division, said upon the announcement of the changes.
"We will work with ITV Studios and ITN as they manage these changes to produce the shows differently from next year, and support them through this transition.
"Daytime has been a core element of ITV’s schedule for over 40 years and these changes will set ITV up to continue to bring viewers award winning news, views and discussion as we enter our eighth decade."
Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV at 12.30pm.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
