Emmerdale shuts down filming as a ‘mark of respect’ following the death of a crew member

Emmerdale temporarily shuts down filming as a ‘mark of respect’ following the sad death of a crew member

Emmerdale temporarily halted production on Thursday as a ‘mark of respect’ following the death of a crew member.

ITV confirmed that the cast and crew of the soap ‘stood down’ and stopped production following the tragic news.

In a statement shared to Digital Spy, a spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm an Emmerdale crew member has very sadly passed away. 

Sad news: Emmerdale temporarily halted production on Thursday as a ‘mark of respect’ following the death of a crew member

‘Our sincerest and heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and loved ones of our colleague.

‘As a mark of respect, we have stood filming down for today. We’d like to abide by the family’s wishes for privacy at this very sad time and we’d ask the media to be respectful of this.’ 

MailOnline have contacted Emmerdale for comment. 

Over the years, the ITV soap has paid tribute to cast and crew who’ve passed away, dedicating episodes to their late colleagues. 

Production halted: ITV confirmed that the cast and crew of the soap 'stood down' and stopped production following the tragic news

Production halted: ITV confirmed that the cast and crew of the soap ‘stood down’ and stopped production following the tragic news

Last year, Emmerdale honoured late long-term crew member Cliff Perry, a props manager who had worked for the soap for 25 years. 

Sam Dingle actor James Hooten tweeted ahead of the dedication in the December episode, noting he would be ‘sadly missed’.  

He penned: ‘There’s a dedication at the end of tonight’s @emmerdale for one of our own who has sadly passed away. #cliffperry was a props man on Emmerdale who started work at YTV [Yorkshire Television] in 1979. He will be sadly missed by all! I for one will be raising a glass. Rip Cliff.’

This isn’t the first time the soap have stopped filming of late, with production suspended for two weeks in January ‘as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic’.

Respect: 'As a mark of respect, we have stood filming down for today. We'd like to abide by the family's wishes for privacy at this very sad time and we'd ask the media to be respectful of this'

Respect: ‘As a mark of respect, we have stood filming down for today. We’d like to abide by the family’s wishes for privacy at this very sad time and we’d ask the media to be respectful of this’

ITV bosses suspended filming on the Emmerdale set after a production team member contracted COVID-19. 

Shooting on Emmerdale was stopped to protect everyone working on the programme and to ensure the Yorkshire set could be given a deep clean.  

A spokesperson said at the time: ‘We paused filming on Emmerdale last week due to some members of the team testing positive for COVID-19.

‘We’ve carried out proper track and trace measures on those cases and undertook intensive cleaning of the production building, whilst reinforcing the health and safety protocols we have in place.

Pause: This isn't the first time the soap have stopped filming of late, with production suspended for two weeks in January 'as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic'

Pause: This isn’t the first time the soap have stopped filming of late, with production suspended for two weeks in January ‘as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic’

‘We’re returning to filming from this Monday, 25 January. This pause in filming will have no impact on our ability to continue to broadcast six episodes of Emmerdale each week.’ 

At the start of the pandemic last year, shooting was halted on both Emmerdale and Coronation Street and the transmission schedule was reduced to ensure episodes could continue to air until filming resumed with new health and safety measures in place.

Following the unprecedented break for the soaps, Corrie and Emmerdale went back into production in June with strict social distancing employed.

Take a break: Shooting on Emmerdale was stopped to protect everyone working on the programme and to ensure the Yorkshire set could be given a deep clean

Take a break: Shooting on Emmerdale was stopped to protect everyone working on the programme and to ensure the Yorkshire set could be given a deep clean