ITV’s This Morning Faces Backlash for Cutting Two-Minute Silence Short on Armistice Day
This Morning viewers expressed their outrage after ITV cut short the two-minute silence on Armistice Day, resuming the broadcast with presenter Cat Deeley before the tribute had concluded. The silence, observed at 11 a.m. on November 11, is dedicated to honoring the service personnel who lost their lives in conflict, and its interruption sparked immediate criticism on social media.
During Monday’s episode, Deeley and co-host Alison Hammond paid tribute by dedicating a segment to war medals belonging to fallen soldiers and speaking with Afghanistan war hero Ben McBean. In line with other UK broadcasters, ITV shifted coverage to the Cenotaph in London to observe the annual silence at 11 a.m., marking the nation’s tribute to its fallen heroes, reported by GB News.
As Deeley introduced the segment, she explained, “We’re going to go celebrate now with the rest of everybody with the memorial. It is the 11th of November and as we approach 11 o’clock, it is time for us to pay our respects and join the nation for a two-minute silence where we’ll remember those who served and still serve our country.”
ITV’s broadcast then transitioned to live footage of Big Ben chiming at 11 a.m., followed by scenes from memorial services at the Cenotaph, as well as in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Westminster Abbey. However, before the silence had ended, ITV returned to the This Morning studio, where Deeley resumed speaking. According to the Express, She remarked, “Incredibly moving scenes there, you’re watching This Morning on ITV1. Ben McBean has stayed with us,” and proceeded to ask McBean about the importance of Armistice Day, followed by a weather forecast from ITV’s Phillipa Drew.
Viewers quickly took to social media to express their frustration over ITV’s decision to return to the studio before the silence was fully observed. On X (formerly Twitter), one user commented, “#ThisMorning two minutes silence once a year too much to ask to acknowledge the debt we owe those who fought for our freedom. Shocking decision @itv @thismorning.” Another echoed, “ITV even cut into the two minutes silence. Disrespect all round. Shame on you @ITV #ThisMorning.”
Further criticisms poured in, with viewers accusing the show of disrespect and expressing disappointment. A viewer remarked, “Well done #ThisMorning for breaking into the two minute silence before it had even bldy finished… So bldy disrespectful!”
The incident comes shortly after similar criticism aimed at ITV on Remembrance Sunday when Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Weekend—a pre-recorded show—failed to observe the two-minute silence at 11 a.m. Many felt this repeated lapse showed a lack of respect for the solemn tradition, prompting an outpouring of criticism on social media.