Emmerdale and Coronation Street reduce number of episodes a week but vow to keep filming amid coronavirus pandemic
CORONATION Street and Emmerdale will be reducing the number of episodes they air per week amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The two soaps have vowed to keep filming though despite Government advice instructed people to remain at home and social distance.
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Coronation Street will be dropping three episodes per week - all of its 8.30pm episodes have been axed - while Emmerdale will be losing one.
Emmerdale will now air weeknights at 7pm while Corrie will follow at 7.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings.
The change will allow the soaps to stay on air until July - even if production has to be shut down.
A statement released today read: "The continued transmission of both soaps is a priority to all of us at ITV and to our audiences who enjoy the shows. Whilst carefully adhering to the latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England, our production teams are continuing to film episodes in Manchester and Leeds.
"With this change of transmission pattern it will ensure we have great new soap episodes coming to air every weekday night until at least the early summer.
The older actors on set will be removed from upcoming scenes to allow them to follow Government advice to social distance in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
Corrie has six full-time actors over 70 - all of whom are following Government advice to social distance and remain at home.
Bill Roache who plays Ken Barlow, Sue Nicholls (Audrey), Maureen Lipman (Evelyn), Rula Lenska (Claudia), Barbara Knox (Rita) and Malcolm Hebden (Norris).
A Coronation Street spokeswoman told the Mirror: "With regards to over 70s we will be adhering to all government guidelines and following the appropriate steps."
The soap films six to eight weeks in advance so any changes will not be seen on screen for a while yet.
It comes as the BBC decided to halt production on all BBC Studios shows amid the pandemic.
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EastEnders, Holby City, Casualty and Doctors have all stopped filming with immediate effect.
Scottish drama River City has also been pulled from production as has Welsh soap Pobol y Cwm.
An EastEnders spokeswoman told The Sun Online: "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.
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"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."
In the UK, coronavirus has killed 71 people while a total of 1,950 have been struck down with the illness.
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