Lorraine show cancelled to make way for Good Morning Britain’s extended coverage of west London fire
THE Lorraine show has been cancelled today to make way for an extended episode of Good Morning Britain.
The ITV breakfast programme has been airing rolling news coverage of the horrific flat fire at Grenfell Tower, west London, which has claimed "a number of victims."
It was due to finish at 8.30am, with Lorraine Kelly's chat show following on.
Yet GMB has been prolonged for two hours - meaning Jeremy Kyle's show has also been scrapped - and is instead due to finish at 10.30am.
Lorraine's official Twitter account confirmed the hour-long episode had been taken off the schedule, with a message that read: "Lorraine is off air today due to the dreadful fire in west London.
"Follow @gmb's extended coverage for latest updates and developments."
Presenters Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan told viewers they were in a studio six miles away and could see the blaze from their window.
They spent the show chatting to hugely concerned family members of a number of residents still trapped inside, as well as experts from fire crews.
Meanwhile, the ITV programme has camera teams on the ground who have described their horror at witnessing the burning 24-storey building.
Shocking images show residents at the apartment complex desperately shouting down to onlookers below with some even lashing bed sheets together in a bid to reach the ground.
Piers told viewers there were residents "alive and desperately trying to get out."
He continued: "You can see raging flames out of the building after seven hours.
"It has been an absolutely horrific six or seven hours for these people.
"The question now is is this building going to stay intact, or is it going to come down?"
most read in TV & SHOWBIZ
The London Fire Brigade has confirmed there have been a number of fatalities.
Danny Cotton, the services Commissioner, described the situation as “unprecedented” calling it the largest scale fire she had seen in her 29 years of service.
She added: “London Ambulance Service have confirmed that 30 people have been taken to five hospitals. I am very sad to confirm that there have been a number of fatalities.
“I cannot confirm the number at this time due to the size and complexity of this building.”
“The cause of this fire is not known at this stage. We will be here all day and will provide further updates.
“We are working very closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service to bring this situation under control.”
A number of those stuck on upper floors have jumped to escape the flames.
The Lancaster West estate and surrounding buildings have been evacuated with police warning that the building is in danger of collapse.
Witnesses reported scenes “reminiscent of 9/11” as residents jumped from upper floors of the building.
Last week, the Lorraine programme twice lost its slot on the ITV schedule.
It was firstly overridden by an hour-long GMB last Monday, which focused on the aftermath of the London Bridge terror attacks.
It was then substituted on Friday for an extended GMB news show which focused on the results of the UK General Election.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220