Last reviewed: 17 September 2026
Source priorities
We prefer sources that are close to the information being reported. Depending on the story, that may mean official broadcaster schedules, ITV announcements, programme publicity, verified cast or production accounts, direct interviews, on-screen episodes and reputable publications carrying original reporting.
Primary and secondary sources
A primary source provides the information directly. A secondary source reports or interprets information from elsewhere. Both can be useful, but an article should not describe a repeated claim as independently confirmed when multiple sites are simply copying the same original report.
Links and attribution
When another publication first reports a meaningful development, we aim to name or link that source. Links should help readers verify an important claim or obtain useful context. We do not copy substantial parts of another publisher’s work, and quotations are kept proportionate to the purpose of the article.
Social media
A post may be used when it comes from an identifiable and relevant verified account. Screenshots and reposts can be incomplete or manipulated, so the original account should be checked where possible. Fan posts, anonymous accounts and discussion forums may illustrate audience reaction but are not evidence that a casting or storyline claim is true.
Anonymous information
Anonymous claims require particular caution. We do not present an unnamed social-media source as confirmation. If a reputable publication relies on an unnamed source, we attribute the report to that publication and make the lack of official confirmation clear.
Conflicts and uncertainty
When trustworthy sources conflict, the article should explain what each source says and avoid choosing certainty without evidence. For developing stories, we may wait for clearer information rather than publish a premature conclusion.