First earlies flowering

I noticed today that the first earlies in my tunnel are showing flowers now, and I always expect that to mean the spuds are almost ready, but when I had a rootle I couldn't find any sign of them. I did plant them up (they're in polypots sitting on the bed) 12 weeks ago now, which is quite a long time for first earlies, but there has been some pretty cold weather in that time so I'd expect them to be taking a bit longer. They're Arran Pilots, if that makes a difference.

Should there be some in there if they're showing flowers, or is that just an old wive's tale? I'm wondering whether to risk tipping some out.

I don't harvest spuds until after they have flowered and died down. The tubers have time to swell then I believe.

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Because the plants have started flowering does not mean that the tubers  are ready, far from it, it is more likely to stop them forming further as the plant wants to set seed and complete it's life cycle!

When I started gardening my granddad told me to take off any flowers that appeared as they hindered tuber growth and I always do!

It would be impractical for farmers with large acreages to do so!

Also this year my main crop Sante which are about a foot tall have already for some reason started to show flowers, so they will have to come off!

Hope this helps!