Coronavirus: BBC suspends Eastenders and other dramas over Covid-19 fears

The BBC said filming on all BBC Studios continuing dramas - which also includes Holby City, River City and Pobol y Cwm - will be temporarily halted.

Only two episodes of EastEnders - which have already been filmed - will air a week.

In a statement about EastEnders, the corporation 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."

And it added: "In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, it has been decided that filming on all BBC Studios continuing dramas will be postponed until further notice."

It is thought that EastEnders has already stopped filming.

The popular BBC One soap is filmed months in advance, which means TV bosses still have episodes to air.

As of 9am on 17 March 2020, 50,442 people have been tested in the UK, of which 48,492 were confirmed negative and 1,950 were confirmed as positive.