Gogglebox viewers confused as runtime is cut short on first episode back

Googlebox viewers have been left confused over why the show is only 45 minutes long as it returns to Channel 4 for a new series. 

The popular show about people watching TV kicked off its latest series tonight (9 September), just one day after Buckingham Palace announced the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday evening (8 September). 

Millions of people regularly tune into the show, but tonight fans have been left wondering why there's 15 minutes of the episode 'missing', with the show set to come to an end at 9:45pm instead of the usual 10:00pm.

"Why is #Gogglebox only 45 Minutes today?," one confused Twitter user wrote, while another commented: "why is gogglebox only on for 45 mins this week can’t get much worse."

It was revealed at the start of the episode that this week's Gogglebox was filmed prior to the announcement of the Queen's passing last night, meaning there are no references to her death in the episode, however Channel 4 has decided to cut adverts from its schedule following the Queen's death.

The company confirmed 'all advertising and sponsorship has been temporarily suspended on Channel 4 and All 4', meaning the only adverts Gogglebox viewers have during tonight's episode are those for other Channel 4 shows, such as the Great British Bake Off.

As a result, the length of the episode as a whole has been shortened by 15 minutes.

Channel 4 addressed its decision not to air any reactions relating to the Queen's death in tonight's episode of Gogglebox in a statement to LADbible, which reads: "Channel 4 has made significant changes to our schedule, including added extended news coverage, to ensure that Channel 4 is respectful following the news from Buckingham Palace about the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

"Channel 4 exists to offer viewers an alternative and that is particularly important at times like this. Gogglebox is a much loved national institution and it will air as planned tonight bringing a valuable sense of continuity for many of our viewers."

The Queen, who was 96 at the time of her death, passed away in Balmoral, Scotland with members of the royal family by her side. Her son Charles immediately became King in the wake of her death, and addressed the nation for the first time earlier today.

Tomorrow (10 September), television coverage will show Charles formally being proclaimed King at an Accession Council in a ceremony set to take place at St James’s Palace.