The One Show’s Alex Jones was not in her regular spot during Wednesday’s show. Instead, BBC viewers saw Clara Amfo presenting the programme with Vernon Kay instead.

At the beginning of the episode, the pair addressed Alex’s absence as she was at an event at Buckingham Palace for the BBC’s 500-word challenge.

Clara said: “44,000 children, aged between five and 11 sent in their stories which were whittled down to a very lucky 50 finalists, who earlier today went to Buckingham Palace for the grand final alongside Her Majesty The Queen.”

Vernon added: “They were also joined by a host of celebs, celeb readers, actors, Olivia Colman, Rob Brydon and Matt Lucas. McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones and Strictly stars JB Gill and Rose Ayling-Ellis who helped bring the winning stories to life.”

The One Show’s Alex Jones was not in her regular spot during Wednesday’s show due to a special reason

Clara informed people that Alex was also in attendance, alongside The One Show’s Roman Kemp.

Viewers were then shown a small clip of Alex meeting Queen Camilla as they had a conversation.

Commenting on Alex’s attendance at the event, Vernon said: “It seems like Alex is there quite a lot. She should get her own room at the Palace, she really should.”

Alex wasn’t hosting The One Show as she was at Buckingham Palace earlier in the day
Clara agreed, adding: “She should, shouldn’t she? Our Royal Highness.” The One Show viewers were then treated to an exclusive clip of Queen Camilla giving a speech at the special event.

While on stage, she said: “Some decades ago, a very famous author said this. You can make anything by writing. He was quite right.

“By his writing, this man made many things. A wintry land that could be entered through a wardrobe. Mysterious creatures that could talk and play the flute. Boxes of enchanted Turkish Delight and a lion whose roar could break spells.

Queen Camilla was at the 500 word challenge event this week

“He was, of course, C.S Lewis, whose book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was published exactly 75 years ago today. Just like C.S Lewis; you have proved in this competition that you can make anything by writing.”

Cutting back to Vernon and Clara in the studio, they informed viewers they can find out whose winning stories were read out in a special episode of The One Show next week on World Book Day.