ITV viewers are in for a nasty surprise as a major daytime show is pulled from screens this week.

The Grand National Festival at Aintree is set to take over the network on Thursday and Friday, causing major disruptions to the usual schedule.

This Morning will be extended by 30 minutes, with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard staying on air until 1pm instead of 12:30pm.

However, Loose Women fans won’t be as lucky. 

The beloved lunchtime talk show will be taken off the air on both Thursday and Friday to make room for live racing coverage.

Instead, ITV Lunchtime News will air at 1pm, followed by a regional news update at 1:20pm. 

ITV viewers are in for a big surprise as their favourite daytime shows get an unexpected shake-up this week

Loose Women will be axed on Thursday and Friday

The Grand National Festival at Aintree is set to take over the network on Thursday and Friday, causing major disruptions to the usual schedule (pictured 2024)

At 1:30pm, ITV will switch to live coverage of the racing, hosted by Ed Chamberlin for three and a half hours each day. 

This is not the first time ITV daytime shows have faced shake ups over the past few weeks. 

Loose Women, which usually airs weekdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, was also cancelled last month (March 26).

Anchor of the programme Ruth Langsford announced the news at the end of Tuesday 25’s instalment of the programme.

Instead The Chancellor’s Statement was broadcast.

Ruth told viewers: ‘We’ve got to go unfortunately! We’d love to stay for the afternoon…

‘We’re not here tomorrow either because of the spring statement. I’m sure you’re all looking forward to that!’

This is not the first time ITV daytime shows have faced shake ups over the past few weeks. Loose Women, which usually airs weekdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, will be be off air on Wednesday (April 2).

This means that This Morning, which is hosted by Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard (pictured) will also finish 15 minutes earlier

Read More Loose Women CANCELLED as Ruth Langsford announces huge ITV schedule shake-up

Mariella Frostrup asked: ‘It’s not called a budget anymore?’

‘No it’s the spring statement tomorrow,’ Ruth replied.

‘We are going to be back on Thursday with Adolescence actor Mark Stanley.

‘Hopefully you can join us then. Till then have a lovely afternoon, good bye!’

The Chancellor’s Statement started at 12:15pm and wrapped at 1:50pm, running for one hour and 35 minutes.

The TV guide stated: ‘What the Chancellor’s Statement means for households around the UK.’

Kaye Adams, 62, told viewers: ‘We’re off for the rest of the week sadly, but we will be back next Wednesday’

Loose Women also didn’t air between March 11 and 14.

After a very emotional episode surprising Coleen Nolan’s 60th birthday, the panel revealed the devastating news.

Kaye Adams, 62, told viewers: ‘We’re off for the rest of the week sadly, but we will be back next Wednesday.’

Instead viewers saw footage from Cheltenham Festival from 12:45pm until 5pm from Tuesday until the end of the week.

This was followed by the usual instalments of The Chase and ITV News.

Cheltenham Festival ran from Tuesday 11 March 2025 to Friday 14 March 2025.

Loose Women airs Monday to Friday from 12:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.