The BBC has taken down an online complaints form after viewers complained about the excessive coverage dedicated to Prince Philip following his death.
The under-fire broadcaster cleared its schedule and instead aired news specials discussing The Duke of Edinburgh’s royal life.
But some BBC viewers were not impressed as shows including The One Show were cancelled, while popular programme Masterchef was postponed.
Prince Philip died on April 9, aged 99, at Windsor Castle.
And following unprecedented criticism from some viewers for their extended coverage of the breaking news, the broadcaster set up a complaints form on its website.
But within the space of weekend the Beeb have pulled the plug on the online having been inundated with complaints.
The link to the page now reads: “Sorry, this page isn’t available.”
Previously the link for the complaints form directed people to a page with the message stating: “We’re receiving complaints about too much TV coverage of the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“Please enter your email address below to register a complaint about this – we’ll then send you the BBC’s response as soon as it is available.”
However, the BBC were not the only broadcaster to change their scheduling and dedicate airtime to celebrating Prince Philip’s long life.
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Competitor ITV aired special programmes in honour of The Duke of Edinburgh, while Channel 4 broadcast a special news report and obituary focusing on Prince Philip’s life.
But Channel 4 still ran a number of it’s planned programmes including hit how Gogglebox on the same day as Prince Philip’s death was announced, as well as the final of The Circle going ahead
A spokesperson for Channel 4 defended its decision to continue with regular programming.
“Like many people around the UK and the world we were saddened to hear of the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip,” a statement sent to Metro.co.uk read.
“We moved swiftly to a live news special as the news was announced earlier today; we broadcast a special programme looking back at the life of the Duke of Edinburgh at 4pm this afternoon; and we will broadcast a 90-minute extended Channel 4 News special from 7pm this evening.
“We will also be airing a number of documentaries about the life of Prince Philip and extended news bulletins over the weekend.
“As an alternative public service broadcaster Channel 4 also has a duty to offer an alternative to others.”
Meanwhile, BAFTA presenters Dermot O’Leary and Edith Bowman paid tribute to Prince Philip on the second night of the weekend awards’ ceremony.
The Prince was the first-ever BAFTA president from 1959 to 1965.
However, Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge – the current president of BAFTA – withdrew from featuring at the event following the death of his grandfather.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
