BBC sets up complaints page for viewers who want less coverage of Duke of Edinburgh's death

The BBC has set up a dedicated page allowing people to complain about "too much TV coverage" of the Duke of Edinburgh's death.

The broadcaster suspended its Friday schedule across both BBC One and BBC Two to run a series of mirrored special programmes about the duke, who died at Windsor Castle aged 99.

BBC Four was suspended and showed a message urging viewers to switch over for a "major news report", while BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live also aired special programming reflecting his life.

The rolling news coverage meant the final of MasterChef, which was due to air at 8.30pm on BBC One, was not shown.

ITV also made schedule changes following the news, leading up to an extended News At Ten at 10pm.

The BBC later established a dedicated form on its website after receiving complaints about its coverage, which prompted a mixed reaction from viewers on social media.

It read: "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."

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Telegraph: "The BBC’s coverage after the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh, has, as far as I have seen and heard, been exemplary so far. Any viewers who wish to send in a complaint to the BBC are always free to do so.

"However to put up a special page for complaints is an extraordinary thing to do, as it appears to give them a special legitimacy.

"It seems to be some sort of bizarre alternative to the online book of condolence, the implication is that complaints have some form of official sanction - otherwise, why put up a special page?

"Since this is clearly not the case it should be taken down without delay."

BBC presenter Simon McCoy wrote on social media: "BBC1 and BBC2 showing the same thing. And presumably the News Channel too. Why? I know this is a huge event. But surely the public deserve a choice of programming?"

The BBC declined to explain how many complaints it had received or why a dedicated page had been set up.

Earlier it had said in a statement: "With the sad news that HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died, there is now special coverage across all BBC networks to mark his life of extraordinary public service and planned scheduling has been suspended."

Former BBC presenter Simon McCoy, who recently left to join GB News, questioned the decision to duplicate the schedule across channels.

He wrote on Twitter: "BBC1 and BBC2 showing the same thing. And presumably the News Channel too. Why? I know this is a huge event. But surely the public deserve a choice of programming?"

Channel 4, meanwhile, on Friday aired an obituary programme at 4pm and featured an extended 90-minute news broadcast at 7pm before returning to its peak time schedule for the final of reality show The Circle.

On Saturday, the BBC again made schedule changes, with BBC One featuring a BBC News special on Philip from 10am until 2pm.

As a consequence, shows including Saturday Kitchen Live, Recipes That Made Me and Football Focus were shifted to BBC Two.

To make room, programmes including Blue Peter air on BBC Two earlier than usual, with Friday's planned episode of Flog It, which was cancelled following the announcement of the duke's death, slotted into the schedule at 2pm.