Filming on EastEnders and other continuing dramas on the BBC has been suspended “until further notice” due to the coronavirus pandemic, the corporation has confirmed.
A BBC spokesperson 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.”
Casualty, Holby City, Doctors, Pobol y Cwm and River City are also among the shows affected by the new measures.
EastEnders, which films eight weeks in advance, will now air on Monday and Tuesday nights on BBC One.
The coronavirus outbreak has already had a devastating impact on the entertainment industry both in the UK and worldwide.
Other BBC shows like Peaky Blinders and Line Of Duty have already halted production until further notice, while a number of live shows have now made the decision to go ahead without studio audiences, including Loose Women, Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Question Time.