Ant and Dec insist it’s ‘business as usual’ with Saturday Night Takeaway amid coronavirus fears

On Friday, The Jeremy Vine Show became the first UK TV show to cancel live studio audiences amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes after Orlando Bloom announced that production on series two of his hit Amazon Prime series Carnival Row in Prague has been halted amid the coronavirus outbreak. 

Across America, major broadcasters have cancelled studio audiences, with some even halting production altogether, amid the pandemic.

The Jeremy Vine Show is the first UK TV show to cancel live studio audiences ‘for the time being’ with a spokesperson telling MailOnline that they have made the decision – which will take effect on Monday – ‘as a precautionary measure.’ 

EXCLUSIVE: On Friday, The Jeremy Vine Show became the first UK TV show to cancel live studio audiences amid the coronavirus pandemic

The response from other UK broadcasters to the outbreak has been much softer in comparison, with most continuing to welcome studio audiences, allowing ticket holders to ‘attend shows unless they have any symptoms or have been informed that they have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.’ 

Many shows including Loose Women on ITV, BBC’s Question Time and The One Show, Countdown on Channel 4 and Channel 5’s The Jeremy Vine Show are filmed in front of live studio audiences across the UK.

As coronavirus sweeps the world, with 10 confirmed deaths and an estimated 5,000-10,000 people infected in the UK so far, MailOnline has investigated how the UK’s major broadcasters are currently responding. 

The Jeremy Vine Show 

The Jeremy Vine Show revealed to MailOnline that the decision has been made to cease hosting a live studio audience, usually made up of around 20 people.

A spokesperson for the Channel 5 programme said: ‘As a precautionary measure we have taken the decision not to have a live studio audience for The Jeremy Vine show for the time being.

‘This decision will take effect from Monday. We will continue to monitor and review official guidelines and advice.’ 

BBC 

According to the BBC website, the public service broadcaster is following measures based on Public Health England advice, in regards to continuing to invite audience members to live filming.

They ask: ‘If you have been to a category 1 specified country/area, you should self-isolate and not attend the production or visit our buildings.

‘If you have been to a category 2 specified country/area you do not need to undertake any special instructions and can attend a BBC production or building, however if you feel unwell and are demonstrating signs and symptoms that are associated with Coronavirus, then you should self-isolate and call NHS 111 for further advice.’

The official message concludes that guests can still visit the BBC, unless they ‘have been informed’ that they have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.’

Tonight's the night! With Sport Relief set to air this evening, BBC Shows and Tours emailed ticket holders with the same information that can be found on their website

Tonight’s the night! With Sport Relief set to air this evening, BBC Shows and Tours emailed ticket holders with the same information that can be found on their website

Specifically, the website stated: ‘Based on current advice you can visit the BBC, as a guest, audience member, and contributor unless you have been informed that you have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Contact NHS 111 if you have any queries.’

Deadline reported that the BBC are in fact looking into ways to vet studio audience members.

Ahead of Sport Relief, BBC Shows and Tours emailed ticket holders with the same information that can be found on their website, giving them an option to cancel their tickets if they are concerned they may have come into contact with coronavirus.

A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We’ve been closely following the Government advice as we’ve been planning this event.

‘The Government isn’t suggesting that events like Sport Relief shouldn’t go ahead, but because people’s health and safety is our absolutely priority we’ve been following their advice and doing everything possible to keep people safe.’

Despite allowing guests to decide themselves whether or not to attend, it’s unclear if shows such as Sport Relief will have full audiences, with some taking to social media to express their intent to stay away in order to protect themselves and elderly loved ones and others insisting it should be cancelled. 

ITV and Channel 4 

Elsewhere, websites such as Applause Store and SRO Audiences are still actively taking bookings from the general public to attend the filming of major shows filmed for ITV and Channel 4.

At the time of publication, Lost In TV was offering the public free tickets to be in the studio audience for Dave TV panel show Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable without any warnings, but posted a coronarivus guidance link above selecting tickets to attend new BBC show Take Off with Bradley and Holly.

At the time of publication, Applause Store was offering no advice at all on their website and was still allowing bookings to be taken for shows, including Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Celebrity Juice on ITV for dates in March.

Giving information: At the time of publication, Lost In TV was offering the public free tickets to be in the studio audience for new BBC show Take Off with Bradley and Holly amongst others

Giving information: At the time of publication, Lost In TV was offering the public free tickets to be in the studio audience for new BBC show Take Off with Bradley and Holly amongst others 

However, SRO Audiences – who offers tickets to the likes of ITV’s Loose Women, Channel 4’s The Last Leg – are following a similar approach to the BBC and offer a warning.

SRI Audiences have stipulated on their website that people with symptoms, or those who have been informed that they have had contact with someone who has tested positive, may not book tickets.

Their website reads: ‘Based on current advice, you may still book tickets and attend shows unless you have any symptoms or have been informed that you have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.’

Broadcasters stressed to MailOnline that they are closely monitoring Public Health England and World Health Organisation advice.

MailOnline has contacted BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 for comment.