Emmerdale has been hit with filming havoc as its young star Katie Hill has tested positive for Covid.
The 18-year-old actress, who plays Sarah Sugden on the ITV village soap, is the latest person to be affected by the virus.
It comes after the soap has been suffering from rising Covid cases in recent weeks, putting the show’s filming schedule into doubt.
Sarah revealed she was unable to work on set on Instagram during a Q&A with her fans.
When one fan asked her how she was doing, she replied: “I’m good thank you! But have been better haha. Currently have Covid so having to isolate.”
(Image: ITV)
A source told The Sun: “Health and safety is so strict on set so it wasn’t a huge disaster but Katie’s filming schedule has obviously been moved around so she can recover.”
ITV also commented, saying: “We don’t comment on health matters relating to colleagues for privacy reasons. Filming at Emmerdale continues with our H&S protocols and measures in place.”
Both Emmerdale and Corrie suffered major set backs earlier this year following a Covid outbreak which resulted in filming being stopped.
(Image: Instagram)
The cast were only allowed back on set after two weeks and an “intensive clean” following the halt in production.
An ITV insider also alleged that some stars and backroom staff have refused getting a Covid jab which has led to a rise in cases.
The source told The Sun: “It is, of course, everyone’s personal choice whether they are vaccinated or not.
“On both soaps, there’s a handful of cast members as well as production staff who say they won’t be vaccinated and that’s up to them.”
(Image: Instagram)
“However, there is a matter of collective responsibility and in an industry where the cast and crew groups are small, a positive Covid test can cause real production nightmares.”
Katie has played youngster Sarah in the ITV soap since 2017 – and her character has found herself at the centre of a sensitive storyline about her heart donor.
Despite being just 21 on the show, Sarah has battled a rare genetic disease, cancer and has even undergone a heart transplant.
Emmerdale continues at 7pm on ITV1 tonight.
For more of the latest showbiz news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
