Sky News was halted for a breaking alert as members of the British public were warned not to travel. Presenter Leah Boleto was in the studio with the latest updates as she brought the programme to a stop, reading out part of the "strongly worded statement" released by Eurostar concerning the disruptions to its service.

Boleto said: "I have some breaking news to bring you. It's in relation to Eurostar, they're saying that due to a problem with the overhead power supply in the Channel Tunnel and then a failed Le Shuttle train, they're strongly advising passengers to postpone their journey, try a different day, they're saying.

"They put out a strongly worded statement saying, 'Don't come to the station unless you already have a travel ticket'. They're saying they regret that the trains can't run. As for subsequent severe delays and cancellations, check for live updates for your travel.

"But at the moment there's an overhead power supply problem with Eurostar," she clarified.

Viewers were left enraged by the segment on social media, with one tweeting: "Lots going home for New Year..."

"This is not looking good," another grumbled. While a third viewer echoed: "Net zero policy is meant to improve resilience, not reduce it. If critical infrastructure fails at the power layer, it's fair to ask whether Ed Miliband is pulling the wrong levers."

The full statement from Eurostar reads: "We strongly advise all our passengers to postpone their journey to a different date.

"Please don't come to the station unless you already have a ticket to travel.

"We regret that trains that can run are subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations.

"Please check for live updates on the status of your train on the train status and timetables page."

All Eurostar services to and from London St Pancras on Tuesday have been cancelled.