After Noel revealed the terribly sad news that Frank had to leave the show and passed away shortly after, he said that his family had requested that his time on the show be broadcast. I was just wondering what they would have done if the family had refused to let it be broadcast for any reason? Would they have edited him out entirely and just had a missing box opening leaving us all confused? Or not broadcast all of the 4 games Frank participated in, which would surely be unfair on the 4 players who's games wouldn't be shown?
Any ideas?
Has this ever happened before?

They'd have probably not aired the shows he appeared in had the family requested it. Editing Frank out of the shows and airing them as such would be incredibly awkward. Yes, it wouldn't be particularly fair on the players in question, which may have been one of the reasons they requested that they be aired anyway.

Something similar happened way back in November 2006. Amanda appeared on the wings as normal, but on the day where her game was supposed to air, she requested that it not be aired because her stepson, who appeared in the game, had died recently.

ohh right i see, so has anyone ever seemingly disappeared off the wings without an explanation?

I doubt they'd have totally scrapped 4 consecutive shows, even if Frank's family didn't want his shows to be aired - they probably would've just reduced his airtime as much as possible.

But luckily Frank's family apparently wanted his banter and box openings to remain intact - which is great as he certainly provided entertainment during his short time on the show!

Other people have left prematurely a couple of times. Audrey and Clive both appeared at different points in season one, but left after two and six shows respectively, probably due to illness as well. Joseph was also taken off because of illness, but unlike the previous two he later returned and got to play his game...

There was also someone called CJ in season three who got pulled off after eight shows, though that's suspected to be rudeness to other contestants. Some said that she was supposed to go on Brainteaser instead, but I doubt that somehow...

And let's not forget Yvonne who appeared at the end of season 4, but was replaced by Heather at the beginning of season 5.

I was thinking this exact same thing yesterday but I didn't dare post it incase I was flamed down for being insensitive towards Frank!

I agree the only way they could have edited him out completely was to not show the 4 games involved, but then they're be an even bigger mystery leaving us all scratching our heads at what happened to Chloe, John, Nicola and Caine.

I suspect they'd have had to so something like they did with CJ and just show the bare minimum of him possible. Didn't they edit her voice? I read something like that when she opened the £250k for one of the game she was there for, I can't remember which, it wasn't £100k Maria anyway as she appeard quite normal in that one! (I was only conscious of that when it was repeated last summer as I took special notice of her!)