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An advertised guest appeared to be conspicuously absent from the programme.

One of the Sunday Brunch hosts opened the show by revealing a significant shake-up to the running order. Tim Lovejoy also explained that as a result, this week's episode would feature fewer guests than viewers might typically expect.

The former Soccer AM presenter was joined as usual by TV chef Simon Rimmer, as the presenting duo welcomed a selection of familiar faces to the studio. Appearing on today's edition (May 10) were Ruel, Kevin Olusola, Alex Fletcher and Nick Pickard.

Ruel is an Australian singer-songwriter currently in the midst of a nationwide UK tour. He was seated alongside Olusola, also known as K.O., an American singer-songwriter, beatboxer and cellist.

Olusola is perhaps best recognised as the beatboxer of the a cappella group Pentatonix and was making a welcome return to the show, recalling that he had met Seal during his previous visit, reports the Mirror.

Meanwhile, Fletcher and Pickard are widely known for their long-standing roles on the soap opera Hollyoaks. However, one guest appeared to be missing from the line-up altogether. TV listings had indicated that Alex Iwobi was also scheduled to appear on the programme.

Yet the Premier League footballer, who currently plays for Fulham, was nowhere to be seen in the studio. At the time of writing, it remains unclear whether he was set to make a late appearance.

Just minutes into the programme, Lovejoy revealed that fewer guests than normal would be joining them around the brunch table, and that the show would be finishing earlier than usual. While it typically runs for three hours, broadcasting between 10am and 1pm, today's edition was set to conclude at 12pm.

The early finish was due to the Women's FA Cup semi-final fixture scheduled to air live on Channel 4. Liverpool vs Brighton was set to kick off at 12.15pm.

Lovejoy, a London native, made his allegiances clear by hollering "Go Seagulls!" in support of Brighton, while Rimmer, who hails from Wallasey, Wirral, fired back by declaring he was backing "Liverpool, obviously."

The football theme continued during Ruel's interview, when he disclosed that despite being born in the UK, he has Dutch heritage and his full name is in fact Ruel van Dijk. Lovejoy cheekily suggested he could line up at centre-back for Liverpool alongside Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk.

This comes just a week after viewers voiced their frustration over the show's guest line-up, with many admitting they had switched off, left thoroughly unimpressed by those appearing on screen.

Audiences appeared considerably more satisfied with this week's offering, however, as one viewer posted on social media: "Ruel on social media is random."

While another chimed in: "Brookside legend Alex Fletcher on Sunday Brunch, she's a fab actress and very down to earth, I loved Jacqui Dixon back in the day!"

The presenter then confirmed that the programme is set to resume its usual runtime next week. According to TV Guide, the upcoming guests are expected to include Jamie Laing, Victoria Smurfit and Bonnie Langford.

Sunday Brunch continues next Sunday from 10am on Channel 4.