MX23RW : Saturday, April 20 04:52:28| >> :600:102235522:102235522:

Coronation Street, Emmerdale filming shut down amid coronavirus outbreaks

ITV suspends filming on its two flagship soaps due to coronavirus outbreaks on set.

ITV has been forced to pause filming on both Coronation Street and Emmerdale due to coronavirus outbreaks on set.

Production on the two soaps ground to a halt last Spring in the early days of the pandemic, but filming was able to resume within a couple of months following the introduction of strict new health and safety rules.

As a result of clever scheduling, Corrie and Emmerdale avoided going off air at any point - unlike rivals EastEnders and Hollyoaks, which were forced to take a break after episodes ran out.

Both shows have now had separate cases of coronavirus outbreaks on set, prompting the broadcaster to enforce filming breaks while scripts are rewritten and production schedules are rearranged.

An ITV spokeswoman said: "Coronation Street will pause filming from next Monday, 25 January for two weeks to undertake some rewriting of stories and scripts as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We will also be taking the opportunity to review all health and safety requirements to ensure we continue to provide a safe working environment for the cast, crew and production team. This pause in filming won't affect our ability to deliver six episodes of Coronation Street each week.

"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. We're returning to filming from this Monday, 25 January."

The soaps are currently thought to be filming episodes around two months in advance of broadcast.

ID:431713: cacheID:431713:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2362:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole April Offer: Get Sky Entertainment, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £23 a month + £0 upfront fee for 18 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends 25th April 2024

Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sharon and Ian on EastEnders on January 22, 2021
Read Next:
Tonight's Soaps: Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks
>
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Friday, April 19


Wetherspoons vs Toby Carvery: Which Is Better?: Channel 5, 7pm
The question troubling people since the dawn of time - Channel 5 settles it.

Coronation Street: ITV1, 8pm
Meddling Max starts to look for proof linking old nemesis Daniel to Lauren's disappearance

Gogglebox: Channel 4, 9pm
On this week's menu: Expedition X, Jamie's Air Fryer Meals, Baby Reindeer, Teen First Dates and The Circle