EastEnders isn’t the only soap that’s going into a production hiatus as ITV announces that production on Coronation Street and Emmerdale has been suspended.
The network originally planned to continue filming both soaps but following the developments of the coronavirus and the ever-changing advice from the government, continuing filming is no longer possible.
In a statement on Sunday 22nd March ITV said:
ITV has sadly taken the decision to suspend production of the soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale with effect from Monday 23 March.
Weāve been doing our best to carry on filming, whilst adhering to the Governmentās latest health guidelines, to ensure weāve episodes of both soaps airing on ITV until at least the early summer.
However, the health and well-being of the production teams, actors, crew and their families is of paramount importance to us and we now feel that the time has come to stop filming.
Weād like to thank our viewers for their support and hope they continue to enjoy both soaps in the coming months.
In a new statement released this morning (23rd March), ITV confirmed there will be changes to the transmission of Emmerdale:
Following yesterdayās announcement that filming of Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be suspended, ITV has taken the decision to reduce Emmerdaleās transmission pattern to three episodes per week from Monday 30 March.
The Yorkshire based soap will air on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Coronation Street airing at 7.30pm on the same nights.
The change to Emmerdaleās transmission pattern will ensure we have episodes of both soaps airing on ITV until at least the early summer.
As soon as we hear any more news, we’ll be sure to let you!