Suspicious package ‘addressed to Lorraine Kelly’ sparks evacuation at ITV’s London HQ
Lorraine Kelly at centre of ITV bomb scare: Suspicious package ‘addressed to TV host’ sparks evacuation at channel’s London HQ as live shows are pulled off air for more than an hour
Suspicious package was addressed to Lorraine Kelly, 62, sparking evacuationIt’s unclear what was inside box but has since been removed safely by experts Police responded to reports of a bomb threat in west London earlier today ITV pulled live episode of This Morning and cancelled Loose Women panel show
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A suspicious package ‘addressed to Lorraine Kelly’ was picked up by ITV’s security team today – sparking an emergency evacuation at the channel’s London headquarters.
The unidentified item was detected before the beloved 62-year-old daytime host received it and prompted an urgent evacuation as security waited for the police authorities to arrive.
It is still unclear what was inside the package and has left the star ‘very concerned’ – but it has since been safely removed by experts, according to The Sun.
A source said: ‘Word quickly got around that whatever the box contained, it was addressed to Lorraine.
‘Everyone at ITV loves her – so people were upset and very concerned over the whole incident. Fortunately everyone is safe, but it shakes everyone up.’
ITV went off air for more than hour as staff were evacuated from their West London television studio amid the reported bomb threat – with the usual running replaced by pre-recorded programming.
Lorraine Kelly (pictured) was named on a ‘suspicious package’ today which was picked up by ITV security staff before she received it
ITV went off air for more than hour as staff were evacuated from their West London television studio amid the reported bomb threat – with the usual running replaced by pre-recorded programming. Pictured: The channel’s London headquarters
The channel pulled a live episode of This Morning during an advert break and cancel following programme Loose Women.
Viewers watching Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby at around 12.15am were left baffled when it returned from an ad break to instead show a highlights reel of old footage.
A spokesperson for ITV said: ‘Due to a suspected security alert, the building which ITV daytime broadcast from was safely evacuated.
‘The issue has been resolved and staff have returned to the building following the all-clear from the police. We apologise for the interruption to the schedule and we have now returned to normal programming.’
Transport for London shut White City and Wood Lane stations while police response units investigated the security alert, but they have since been reopened.
Hammersmith and Fulham Police have since confirmed that an ‘item’ reported to them had been assessed as ‘non-suspicious’.
As crew members returned to the studios, This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield posted on social media saying: ‘Back in my dressing room after a security alert.
‘All ok and a thankfully false alarm. Thank you to our team and the Met Police for being amazing… I’ve been to the pub with everyone, now back to get my house keys.’
A Met Police spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘At 11:14hrs on Thursday, 10 March, police were called to reports of a security alert at Wood Lane, White City.
As crew members returned to the studios, This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield posted on social media saying: ‘Back in my dressing room after a security alert’
Transport for London have closed White City and Wood Lane stations while police respond
‘It was reported a suspicious item had been discovered.
‘The area was evacuated as a precaution and White City and Wood Lane tube stations were temporarily closed.
‘The incident was stood down shortly before 12:49hrs. An investigation is ongoing.’
The unexpected change in the TV schedule surprised many, with some taking to social media to share their bewilderment.
One wrote: ‘It took me a few minutes to realise this is a taped edition/ off air. What happened?’
Another wrote: ‘Someone has clearly pressed the wrong button and now I’m having to watch a man talk about a cactus. I’m literally dying at this point.’
‘I’ve not been paying attention all morning, is this a repeat?’ a third viewer posted.
One added: ‘I thought I’d passed out and woken up at 10am’ one baffled viewer posted.
