The One Show Pulled Off Air as Alex Jones and Roman Kemp Take Unexpected Break from BBC—Viewers Left Stunned by Sudden Schedule Shake-Up

If you’re anything like me, you’ll know there are certain fixtures in British life that feel as solid and dependable as the London Eye or a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon. For millions, The One Show at 7pm on BBC One is right up there—an easy, comforting slice of early evening telly, the gentle hum of Alex Jones’s laugh, Roman Kemp’s cheeky grin, and a parade of guests that veer from Dame Mary Berry to the latest TikTok sensation. But this week, the nation’s living rooms were left with a gaping hole. The One Show—yes, really—has been pulled off air for a whole month, and fans are reeling.

It all happened with the sort of abruptness that only British TV can muster. One minute, Alex Jones and Roman Kemp were bidding viewers a cheery farewell, the next, the familiar green sofa was empty, the studio lights dimmed, and the promise of their return pushed all the way to the end of July. The reason? A perfect storm of summer sport—Wimbledon, the Euros, and enough live coverage to knock even the BBC’s most beloved magazine show off its perch.

For those of us who rely on The One Show as the gentle bridge between work and dinner, the news came as a genuine shock. There was no scandal, no behind-the-scenes drama, just the cold, hard reality of a schedule dominated by tennis rackets and penalty shootouts. Alex herself broke the news as she and Roman signed off last Friday, her trademark warmth tinged with a hint of regret. “We are taking a bit of a break for the next four weeks and we’ll be back on Monday, 28th July, but there’s plenty to enjoy like Wimbledon and the Euros,” she said, as if a fortnight of backhand volleys could ever replace the comfort of her company.

The reaction, as you might expect, was immediate. Social media lit up with confusion, disappointment, and the sort of mild outrage that only a sudden change to the TV schedule can provoke. “What am I supposed to watch at 7pm now?” demanded one viewer on Twitter, while another lamented, “No Alex, no Roman, no One Show? My routine is ruined!” Others took a more philosophical view, resigning themselves to a month of tennis commentary and football punditry, but it was clear that for many, the loss of The One Show was more than just an inconvenience. It was a disruption to the gentle rhythm of daily life.

It’s not the first time the show has been bumped for sport—last year saw a similar four-week hiatus to accommodate the BBC’s wall-to-wall summer coverage—but this time, the absence feels even more acute. Perhaps it’s the uncertainty of the world outside, or maybe it’s just that, in a landscape of endless streaming options and on-demand drama, The One Show remains one of the few programmes that still brings the nation together at a set time, every night, without fail.

And it’s not just The One Show that’s been affected. The schedule shake-up has sent ripples across BBC One, with flagship soap EastEnders also shunted from its usual 7:30pm slot to the relative obscurity of BBC Two. Fans of Walford’s finest will have to make do with two back-to-back episodes on Monday and Tuesday, followed by an agonising eight-day wait before the next instalment. It’s a disruption that has left even the most stoic viewers muttering into their mugs.

For Alex Jones and Roman Kemp, the break comes after a whirlwind year of presenting duties. Alex, a stalwart of the sofa for well over a decade, has become something of a national treasure, her easy charm and quick wit making her the perfect anchor for the nightly mix of celebrity interviews, human interest stories, and the occasional moment of chaos. Roman, who joined the show in 2022, has brought a fresh energy and a mischievous sparkle, his banter with Alex quickly winning over even the most sceptical fans. Together, they’ve become the beating heart of The One Show, their chemistry as natural as it is infectious.

The show’s rota of guest presenters—Lauren Laverne, Ronan Keating, Clara Amfo, and Alex Scott among them—have all played their part in keeping the format fresh, but it’s Alex and Roman who have become the faces of the franchise. Their absence, even for a few weeks, is keenly felt.

Behind the scenes, the production team have been quick to reassure viewers that this is just a temporary pause, not a sign of trouble in paradise. A message flashed up at the end of Friday’s show, promising a return on Monday, 28th July. But for fans, the next four weeks will feel like an eternity. The One Show is more than just a TV programme—it’s a ritual, a comfort, a reminder that, no matter how chaotic the world, there’s always a place where you can tune in, relax, and watch Alex Jones try not to giggle as Roman Kemp attempts to ride a unicycle or interview a dog that can play the piano.

The timing of the break couldn’t be more bittersweet. Just last week, the show celebrated Dame Mary Berry’s 90th birthday with the kind of warmth and affection that only The One Show can muster. There were cakes, tributes, and a sense of genuine celebration—a reminder of the unique role the programme plays in the fabric of British life. It’s the place where the great and the good come to be gently teased, where ordinary people with extraordinary stories are given their moment in the spotlight, and where the nation’s most beloved presenters feel like old friends.

Of course, the BBC’s commitment to live sporting coverage is nothing new. Wimbledon and the Euros are juggernauts in the summer schedule, drawing in millions of viewers and dominating the headlines. But for those who prefer their evenings with a side of gentle chat and human interest, the loss of The One Show is a blow. It’s a reminder of the delicate balancing act that comes with being a public broadcaster—trying to please everyone, all of the time, and sometimes having to make tough choices.

There’s a certain irony in the fact that, at a time when the world feels more divided than ever, it’s the absence of a TV show that has brought people together in shared frustration. The One Show, with its mix of light and shade, news and nonsense, has become a rare point of connection in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. Its disappearance, even for a few weeks, is a loss keenly felt by viewers of all ages.

But if there’s one thing The One Show has always excelled at, it’s resilience. Over the years, it’s weathered everything from presenter shake-ups to the chaos of live television, emerging stronger and more beloved each time. Alex Jones, in particular, has become a master of the unexpected, her ability to handle everything from technical glitches to surprise guests with grace and humour making her a true star of the small screen.

As the days tick by and the tennis balls fly at Wimbledon, fans will no doubt find other ways to fill the 7pm void. Maybe they’ll finally get around to reading that book, or perhaps they’ll discover a hidden gem tucked away on BBC iPlayer. But for many, nothing will quite replace the comfort of The One Show—the familiar faces, the gentle banter, the sense that, for half an hour at least, everything is right with the world.

And when the show finally returns at the end of July, you can bet there will be a collective sigh of relief up and down the country. The green sofa will be back, Alex and Roman will return to their rightful place, and all will be well once more. Until then, we’ll just have to make do with the sound of tennis balls and the distant roar of the crowd—knowing that, somewhere out there, The One Show team are counting down the days just like the rest of us.

In the end, perhaps that’s the true magic of The One Show. It’s not just about the stories, the guests, or the presenters—it’s about the sense of community it creates, the way it brings us together, night after night, in a world that can sometimes feel a little too big and a little too fast. So here’s to Alex, Roman, and the whole team—enjoy your well-earned break, but hurry back soon. The nation’s 7pm slot just isn’t the same without you.