BBC Morning Live pulled off air as Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton explain why

Morning Live hosts Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones had a surprise in store for viewers on Wednesday, July 17, as they announced a significant change to the day's broadcasting schedule.

The popular morning show, which typically runs from 9:30am to 10:45am, was set to finish earlier than usual.

The dynamic duo informed their audience that Wednesday's instalment would end at 10:30am, making way for another programme due to a reshuffle in BBC's TV lineup.

The BBC has been juggling its schedule to accommodate a summer packed with sporting events such as Euros 2024 and Wimbledon, not to mention the recent General Election coverage.

However, this particular alteration is to broadcast the State Opening of Parliament, where King Charles will outline the agenda of the new government.

At the start of today's episode, Helen greeted viewers with a smaller-than-normal panel of experts, preparing them for a condensed version of Morning Live, reports Wales Online.

She kicked off the programme by saying: "Hello there, happy Wednesday, welcome to Morning Live, joining us today is legal expert Gary Rycroft, finance guru Iona Bain and Strictly pro Neil Jones."

She went on to explain the reason behind the truncated show: "It's a shorter show today because it is the State Opening of Parliment, the King will lay out the new government's plans."

Gethin chimed in with: "You'll see it on BBC One live after us this morning."

Viewers can tune in for a full two hours of the State Opening of Parliament from 10:30am to 12:30pm, as Reeta Chakrabarti delivers live coverage of the King's Speech directly from the Palace of Westminster, following the recent General Election.

BBC Morning Live continues weekdays at 9:30am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.