This Morning presenter Alice Beer was replaced on Thursday’s show after her interviews with mourners who were queuing to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin were called ‘disrespectful’ by viewers.
The TV host, 57, was at Westminster on Thursday’s show as she was given press access to see the Queen lying in state.
Broadcaster and former ITV newsreader Isla Traquair was instead placed in the queue to speak to mourners.
Show: This Morning presenter Alice Beer was replaced on Thursday’s show after her interviews with mourners who were queuing to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin were called ‘disrespectful’ by viewers
Introducing her, This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby said: ‘In just a moment we’ll speak to Isla Traquair who is keeping people’s spirits up in the queue.
‘First let’s hear from Alice who is at the exit at Westminster Hall. Alice, you were actually able to go inside and view the coffin earlier this morning. What was that moment like for you?’
Alice said: ‘Incredible. Just before dawn I was allowed into an appointed slot in Westminster Hall.
‘Let’s just be very clear, I didn’t take anyone’s place in the queue. I wasn’t queue jumping. This was a a slot for a reporter or member of the press so that I could tell you about it. Witness it and share it with you. And that was a complete honour.’
Segment: On Wednesday’s show, Alice interviewed mourners in the queue where she tried to keep people’s spirits up by handing out doughnuts
Queue: Broadcaster and former ITV newsreader Isla Traquair was instead placed in the queue to speak to mourners
On Wednesday’s show, Alice interviewed mourners in the queue where she tried to keep people’s spirits up by handing out doughnuts.
However, this didn’t go down well with many viewers who thought the light-hearted tone of the segment was ‘disrespectful’ to the Queen.
One user wrote: ‘@thismorning interviewing people like they’re queuing for a concert and treating it like a party?
‘And then the reporter saying to one guy ‘this is just a dress rehearsal for Reading Festival next year’… seriously?! Disrespectful is an understatement’.
Another wrote: ‘Can’t believe reporters are at the Buckingham Palace queues laughing, smiling and shouting about donughts as if it were a carnival. Show some respect! #ThisMorning’.
Reaction: Alice’s queue interviews didn’t go down well with many viewers who thought the light-hearted tone of the segment was ‘disrespectful’ to the Queen
Another viewer said: ‘Jesus wept, you are treating this queue like it’s the opening for the new ride at Alton Towers. Not a good look, have some respect #ThisMorning’.
One fan added: ‘Fair enough if Alice wants to give doughnuts to people in queues but it would be less disrespectful if it wasn’t being televised’.
Meanwhile, This Morning has been cancelled on Friday as ITV plan to broadcast King Charles III’s visit to Cardiff ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Host Phillip Schofield confirmed during Thursday’s show that the daytime favourite would not be broadcast the following day to make room for rolling coverage of the event.
On hold: This Morning has been cancelled on Friday as ITV plan to broadcast King Charles’ visit to Cardiff ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral
It comes after ITV announced that will be airing uninterrupted coverage of the Queen’s funeral on Monday, September 19, in what will be the largest outside broadcast in the channel’s history.
The coverage will begin at 6am with Good Morning Britain, before leading into rolling broadcast of the funeral service, which will begin at 11am in Westminster Abbey.
Moving into the evening, ITV will broadcast a documentary film chronicling the events of the past ten days from Her Majesty The Queen’s death to the state funeral.
Sad: King Charles (pictured during the Queen’s procession on Wednesday) will travel to Wales on Friday as part of his condolence tour ahead of Her Majesty’s funeral
There will be a special programme focusing on the day’s events at 9pm followed by an extended News at Ten.
Buckingham Palace has released details of the 11am state funeral and the ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor ahead of her private interment at 4pm on Monday.
After the state funeral, attended by some 2,000 guests, including visiting heads of state and other dignitaries, the late queen’s coffin will be transported through the historic heart of London on a horse-drawn gun carriage before being driven by the state hearse to Windsor.