Emmerdale and Coronation Street could stop airing from the summertime onwards, ITV bosses have confirmed.
Earlier today, producers confirmed filming of the hit soap operas would be halted going forward, in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
While there are enough episodes recorded in advance to last throughout the coming weeks, ITV will run out of episodes by the summertime.
The statement read: “We’ve been doing out best to carry on filming whilst adhering to the government’s latest health guidelines, to ensure we’ve episodes of both soaps airing on ITV until at least early summer.
“However, the health and wellbeing of the production team, actors, crew and their families is of paramount importance to us and we now feel that the time has come to stop filming.”
The network added: “We’d like to thank our viewers for their support and hope they continue to enjoy both soaps in the coming months.”
Coronation Street bosses have assured fans the soap will continue to air on a weekly basis until the shake-up begins over the summer months.
They said: “We’ll still be on air next week as normal, apart from Friday. From 30th onwards we’ll be on three times a week.”
Show bosses have confirmed filming of Corrie will be postponed indefinitely
After the news broke on Twitter, disappointed Corrie and Emmerdale fans rushed to comment, letting producers know they supported the decision.
One remarked: “Sad to hear this, but of course you have to put your cast, crew and staff members’ health first. Thank you for all the hard work that everyone has put into the show.”
“Thank you so, so, so much for continuing on as long as you all could but the most important thing to us is everyone’s safety and well-being,” agreed a second.
Show bosses announced the filming cancellation over Twitter (Image: TWITTER/EMMERDALE)
And a third added: “Gutted we’ll have less episodes but this is absolutely the right decision, the safety of the cast and crew always comes first!!”
The news comes as the BBC confirmed they would be cutting the weekly episodes of EastEnders in half, in a bid to make the prerecorded installments last for a longer period of time.
In a statement shared earlier this week, show bosses 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.”
Channel 4 has also suspended filming of its leading soap operas – Doctors, Hollyoaks and Casualty – for the coming months.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
