Loose Women will make a surprise return to our screens this week for a coronavirus special.
It was announced last month that production on the ITV daytime show had been scrapped due to the spread of COVID-19 in the UK and the Government's banning of mass gatherings and orders to the public to comply with social distancing.
Speaking at the time an ITV spokesperson said: "This decision has been made to minimise the number of staff travelling in and out of our studios and working together on shift at any one time.
"We’re focusing our efforts on providing to viewers the latest news on the rapidly changing situation which aims to offer some stability and continuity in all our lives whilst so many of us are at home right now."
Prior to its cancellation, Loose Women filmed without its usual studio audience, with host Andrea McLean suggesting that it could be filmed via video call.
And that's exactly what will happen when it returns to screens for a one-off special on Thursday as part of ITV's NHS Day, hours before the weekly Clap for Carers across the country.
Christine Lampard, Brenda Edwards, Stacey Solomon and Nadia Sawalha will broadcast the pre-recorded episode from their respective homes and share stories and heartfelt gratitude from survivors of COVID-19.
While production on it was postponed, Loose Women hasn't actually been absent from schedules, with repeat of episodes from the psst 12 months airing after This Morning every week day on ITV.
