EastEnders has announced that filming has been suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A spokesperson for the soap confirmed that along with production being suspended, the soap will also cut it’s weekly number of episodes to just two a week.
Production on the UK’s biggest soaps has been thrown into crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic, with sources also claiming that filming on rivals Coronation Street and Emmerdale could also be suspended.
Cut short: EastEnders has announced that filming has been suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic, and they will cut their weekly broadcast episodes from four to just two
In a statement the BBC said: ‘In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, it has been decided that filming on EastEnders will be postponed until further notice.
‘The decision was made after the latest Government update. We will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the World Health Organisation and Public Health England.
‘We have also taken the decision to reduce the amount of episodes we broadcast each week to two, so that we can ensure the audience can continue to enjoy EastEnders in their homes for as long as possible.’
In crisis? A spokesperson for the soap confirmed that along with production being suspended, the soap will also cut it’s weekly number of episodes to just two a week
In reference to Casualty, Doctors, EastEnders, Holby City, Pobol y Cwm and River City, the corporation said: ‘In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, it has been decided that filming on all BBC Studios continuing dramas will be postponed until further notice.
‘The decision was made after the latest Government update. We will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the World Health Organisation and public health organisations.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for EastEnders for further comment.
The news comes as it was also reported that Coronation Street and Emmerdale could also reduce their number of weekly episodes in a bid to ration shows they’ve already filmed.
In crisis: It came as it was also reported that Coronation Street and Emmerdale bosses have held crisis talks about suspending filming due to the outbreak
Worrying: A source told The Mirror that ITV bosses have held crisis talks as many elderly cast members have shared their concerns about coming into work
A source told The Mirror that ITV bosses have held crisis talks as many elderly cast members have shared their concerns about coming into work.
They said: ‘We can’t force people to carry on coming to the set when the nation is being told to work from home if it’s possible. Some people have a lot of anxiety.
‘It’s very difficult to know how to proceed when the situation and advice is changing all the time.
‘We very much want to do everything we can to keep the show on the road, but we also have to respect people’s choices about their own health.’
Some of Emmerdale’s most renowned cast members include Chris Chittell (who plays Eric Pollard), Diane Sugden (Elizabeth Estensen), Patrick Mower (Rodney Blackstock) and Steve Halliwell (Zak Dingle).
Meanwhile the Corrie cobbles are renowned for their veteran cast members, inlcuding William Roache (Ken Barlow), Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts), Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan) and Malcolm Hebden (Norris Cole).
It’s been reported that soap writers are trying to plan episodes that won’t feature the older cast members, as they join a slew of shows being forced to suspend production.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Coronation Street and Emmerdale for further comment.
ITV Studios creative director John Whiston previously confirmed that they would use Coronation Street and Emmerdale to remind viewers to continue with handwashing.
He said: ‘Because we script and shoot so far in advance we don’t generally reflect contemporary issues.
‘However we are going to use the soaps to remind people of important public health issues such as the need to wash their hands. We’ll try and do more such messages going forward.’
An unnamed Coronation Street cast member who went into self-isolation 10 days ago after returning from an affected country did not develop symptoms and has now returned to work.
An ITV spokesperson said on Tuesday: ‘Our priority is the wellbeing and safety of all our colleagues and everyone who works with us on our shows and across our production.
‘Clearly, along with everyone across the country, we are in a developing and dynamic situation with respect to the coronavirus, so we’re taking the appropriate steps.’
‘We’ve looked at our procedures and our established contingency plans and we’re confident that we’re able to continue with our filming schedule.
‘In terms of our colleagues, our aim is to do everything we can to support anyone affected. We’re keeping a close eye on the situation and putting our people first.’