Across America, major broadcasters have cancelled studio audiences, with some even halting production altogether, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
And now, The Jeremy Vine Show on Channel 5 has become the first British television show to cease having a live studio audience ‘for the time being’, with a spokesperson telling MailOnline that they have made the decision – which will take effect on Monday – ‘as a precautionary measure.’
The response from other UK broadcasters to the outbreak has been much softer in comparison, with most continuing to welcome studio audiences, allowing ticket holders to ‘attend shows unless they have any symptoms or have been informed that they have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.’
EXCLUSIVE: The Jeremy Vine Show on Channel 5 has become the first British television show to cease having a live studio audience amid the coronavirus pandemic
Many shows including Loose Women on ITV, BBC’s Question Time and The One Show, Countdown on Channel 4 and Channel 5’s The Jeremy Vine Show are filmed in front of live studio audiences across the UK.
As coronavirus as the disease sweeps the world, with 10 confirmed deaths and an estimated 5,000-10,000 people infected in the UK so far, MailOnline has investigated how the UK’s major broadcasters are currently responding.
The Jeremy Vine Show revealed to MailOnline that the decision has been made to cease hosting a live studio audience, usually made up of around 20 people.
A spokesperson for the Channel 5 programme said: ‘As a precautionary measure we have taken the decision not to have a live studio audience for The Jeremy Vine show for the time being.
‘This decision will take effect from Monday. We will continue to monitor and review official guidelines and advice.’
Precautionary: A spokesperson told MailOnline that they have made the decision – which will take effect on Monday – ‘as a precautionary measure’
The response: Other UK broadcasters are continuing to host studio audiences unless ‘they have symptoms or have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case’
Empty: The UK broadcasters’ response follows a mass of TV shows across America opting to forgo their usual studio audiences (Pictured: Empty audience at Live With Kelly And Ryan)
According to the BBC website, the public service broadcaster is following measures based on Public Health England advice, in regards to continuing to invite audience members to live filming.
They ask: ‘If you have been to a category 1 specified country/area, you should self-isolate and not attend the production or visit our buildings.
‘If you have been to a category 2 specified country/area you do not need to undertake any special instructions and can attend a BBC production or building, however if you feel unwell and are demonstrating signs and symptoms that are associated with Coronavirus, then you should self-isolate and call NHS 111 for further advice.’
The set up: Many shows including Loose Women on ITV (pictured), BBC’s Question Time and The One Show are filmed in front of live studio audiences
What’s the situation? Here, MailOnline looks into how the UK’s major broadcasters are currently dealing with coronavirus
The official message concludes that guests can still visit the BBC, unless they ‘have been informed’ that they have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.’
Specifically, the website stated: ‘Based on current advice you can visit the BBC, as a guest, audience member, and contributor unless you have been informed that you have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Contact NHS 111 if you have any queries.’
Deadline reported that the BBC are in fact looking into ways to vet studio audience members.
BBC approach: The official message states that guests can still visit the BBC, unless they ‘have been informed’ that they have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
With Sport Relief set to air this evening, BBC Shows and Tours emailed ticket holders with the same information that can be found on their website, giving them an option to cancel their tickets if they are concerned they may have come into contact with Coronavirus.
A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We’ve been closely following the Government advice as we’ve been planning this event.
‘The Government isn’t suggesting that events like Sport Relief shouldn’t go ahead, but because people’s health and safety is our absolutely priority we’ve been following their advice and doing everything possible to keep people safe.’
Despite allowing guests to decide themselves whether or not to attend, it’s unclear if shows such as Sport Relief will have full audiences, with some taking to social media to express their intent to stay away in order to protect themselves and elderly loved ones and others insisting it should be cancelled.
One person on Twitter wrote: ‘Had tickets to be part of the audience for sports relief today, but have decided to cancel all because of Coronavirus, even tho I got an email from bbc regarding information and safety, it’s not worth it!’
Tonight’s the night! With Sport Relief set to air this evening, BBC Shows and Tours emailed ticket holders with the same information that can be found on their website
What will people do? Despite allowing guests to decide themselves whether or not to attend, it’s unclear if shows such as Sport Relief will have full audiences
The individual told MailOnline: ‘I was meant to go [to Sport Relief] with my 11 yr old but all the news about Coronavirus and how easily it can spread, it’s not worth the risk.
‘I’ve got elderly parents with underlying health problems, what if I got it and spread it to them?’
One person on Twitter mused: ‘sports relief still going ahead with the end of the text saying “don’t come if you think you have coronavirus” but people will still go because the illness comes before the symptoms are shown sometimes.’
Someone else on social media wrote: ‘Cancel Sport Relief this evening or at least stand down the live audience!’
‘So…. why is sports relief going on? Surely cancel it because more than 500 people will be there? #SportRelief,’ tweeted another.
Free! At the time of publication, Lost In TV was offering the public free tickets to be in the studio audience for Dave TV panel show Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable without any warnings
Giving information: Lost In TV did, however, post a coronarivus guidance link above selecting tickets to attend new BBC show Take Off with Bradley and Holly
Elsewhere, websites such as Applause Store and SRO Audiences are still actively taking bookings from the general public to attend the filming of major shows filmed for ITV and Channel 4.
At the time of publication, Lost In TV was offering the public free tickets to be in the studio audience for Dave TV panel show Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable without any warnings, but posted a coronarivus guidance link above selecting tickets to attend new BBC show Take Off with Bradley and Holly.
At the time of publication, Applause Store was offering no advice at all on their website and was still allowing bookings to be taken for shows, including Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Celebrity Juice on ITV for dates in March.
However, SRO Audiences – who offers tickets to the likes of ITV’s Loose Women, Channel 4’s The Last Leg – are following a similar approach to the BBC and offer a warning.
Currently: At the time of publication Applause Store was offering no advice on their website and was taking bookings for shows, including ITV’s Celebrity Juice ITV for March dates
SRI Audiences have stipulated on their website that people with symptoms, or those who have been informed that they have had contact with someone who has tested positive, may not book tickets.
Their website reads: ‘Based on current advice, you may still book tickets and attend shows unless you have any symptoms or have been informed that you have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.’
Broadcasters MailOnline spoke to stressed that they are closely monitoring Public Health England and World Health Organization advice.
MailOnline has contacted BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 for comment.
Similar approach: SRO Audiences – who offers tickets to the likes of ITV’s Loose Women, Channel 4’s The Last Leg – are following a similar approach to the BBC and offering a warning
Warning! SRO Audiences – who offers tickets to the likes of ITV’s Loose Women, Channel 4’s The Last Leg – are following a similar approach to the BBC and offer a warning
Aside from shows with studio audiences, others which involved travel or large gatherings are reportedly set to be put on hold.
According to Deadline, one show thought to be at risk is BBC One’s Celebrity Race Across The World – which is on the brink of production – and will involve stars travelling thousands of miles across different countries, potentially entering coronavirus hotspots. Antiques Roadshow is also reportedly being closely monitored.
One source told the publication that the BBC is checking its insurance arrangements on its TV rights deals for events such as Eurovision Song Contest, Glastonbury and Wimbledon.
Monitored: Antiques Roadshow is also reportedly being closely monitored
Oh dear! A worker on-site at Maidstone Studios was diagnosed with coronavirus last week, although it was an NHS Trust employee at the business park rather than a crew member
Last week, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall said today that the company was ‘working through our contingency plan by program genre.’
ITV Studios staff are getting specific advice, but Carolyn added: ‘So far, we haven’t had to change anything we’re doing on the production side.’
A worker on-site at Maidstone Studios – where shows including ITV’s Catchphrase and Supermarket Sweep are filmed – was diagnosed with coronavirus last week, although it was an employee at an NHS Trust at the Maidstone business park rather than a crew member on a TV show.
Worries: One source told the publication that the BBC is checking its insurance arrangements on its TV rights deals for events such as Eurovision Song Contest, Glastonbury and Wimbledon
At risk? Sources told Deadline that Channel 4 has identified shows that are part of an ‘at-risk productions’ list, which includes First Dates Hotel, and 24 Hours In A&E
Sources told Deadline that Channel 4 has identified shows that are part of an ‘at-risk productions’ list, which includes First Dates Hotel, and 24 Hours In A&E.
One insider said ‘hospitals may lock down access to mitigate the risk of coronavirus spreading.’
The publication also reported that Channel 5 has drawn up a list of productions that are filming or about to film overseas, to be prepared for potential changes should they become required.
The World Health Organization said that most people can recover from the illness in two weeks if it’s mild, while those who are impacted by a more severe strain can take between three and six weeks to heal.