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There's been much said about the highly anticipated seventh series of HBO's Game of Thrones since it began shooting last year.

But it would seem that fans are set to get their first real taste of what awaits Westeros on Thursday night, as a live stream kicks-off to reveal the show's air-date.

Following the release of the teaser poster showing ice and fire, it looks as though Daenerys and her dragons are making a beeline for the seven kingdoms, but will she be able to claim her birth right?

While HBO are still teasing fans without revealing an official release date, it has been reported that it could be back in July 2017.

(Image: HBO)

The live stream was set to reveal the big day - but after asking fans to type 'FIRE' to get the exciting news, the feed ended mysteriously.

This time round, there will be just seven episodes, and it's unlcear if season eight will be the same.

Why has the seventh series been delayed?

Filming schedules have been moved around because "winter has arrived", and the settings needed to reflect that.

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HBO's president of programming Casey Bloys said: "Now that winter has arrived on Game of Thrones, executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss felt that the storylines of the next season would be better served by starting production a little later than usual, when the weather is changing.

How can we watch it in the UK?

It'll be back on Sky Atlantic for fans in the UK - and it's expected to air at the time time as the US showing.

(Image: Home Box Office)

Just like last year, there will be a repeat following at a more UK-friendly time.

Who is joining the cast?

Jim Broadbent will be joining this time round, and it's said he will have a very "significant" role in the final two series.

Remaining coy about his character, he previously said: "I’m a maester, an archmaester. I’m an old professor character.”

Merlin's Tom Hopper will also be named in the cast list for the new series.

See Game of Thrones in HBO's annual teaser