Some of the UK's best loved reality show contests could be forced to cancel in the coming weeks as the growing coronavirus pandemic intenstifies.
Smash hit ITV shows Love Island and Britain's Got Talent coupld be among the usual spring and summer highlights that may be forced off the air.
And quaint Channel 4 cookery contest The Great British Bake Off could also see plans ruined by the ongoing pandemic due to TV shows involving scores of people to make.
Love Island, in particular, would prove impossible to film in a no-contact environment as the nature of the reality romance show is to see hopefuls fall for each other.
“A huge amount of work goes into Love Island and to pull everything together in a very short space of time would be near impossible," a source for Love Island told The Sun on Sunday.
“Casting aside, they need to think about all the paperwork necessary, the show’s insurance and all the tests that cast members must undergo," the source added.
As the show films in Mallorca - part of Spain which is one of the worst affected countried with Coronavirus - there are further concerns over international travel being part of the show-making process.
Things on The Great British Bake Off sound equally bleak - with crunch talks due to commence in the near future.
“The last thing anyone wants to do is postpone the show, but in the current situation we may find there is just no other choice," a Bake Off source also told The Sun.
While BGT could see live final plans shelved as the crisis shows no sign of slowing.
“The safety of everyone involved in the show - including the audiences - is Simon’s paramount concern and if it isn’t safe the live finals will be postponed," a source told The Sun.
The TV and film industry has been hugely impacted by the deadly Covid-19 outbreak with shows and films around the world cancelling plans to continue filming.
Respected TV and Film industry news source Variety has predicted the pandemic will change the industry "forever".
Indeed, Variety fears even movie giant Disney could struggle amid the pandemic, writing; "The impact to Disney’s balance sheet will be significant. Theme parks, experiences (like cruises) and consumer products made up nearly half — 45% — of the company’s operating income last year.
"Every day that Disney’s domestic parks are closed costs the company $20 million to $30 million," they add.
