Two Britain’s Got Talent judges have been forced to self-isolate after three of the show’s crew tested positive for coronavirus while taping a BGT Christmas special.
Half of the ITV judging panel, made up of Alesha Dixon, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell’s stand-in Ashley Banjo, were told they must legally stay indoors for 14 days, reports The Sun. Simon is currently recovering after a serious back injury back in August.
A source said: “The production staff in question work closely with the judging panel, particularly two of them, meaning that once they had a positive test it was bosses’ duty to inform them and send them home.
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“They’re now left at home for the foreseeable, and will have to take a test too before they can stop quarantining.
“The likelihood is they’ll come back negative, but they’re taking no chances and can’t be too safe right now. So they’re playing a waiting game for now.”
At least three crew members tested positive for the illness before the first day of filming the special. Producers then immediately closed down the entire production, telling crew not to turn up for work.
A source said: “It’s the last thing Britain’s Got Talent bosses would have wanted on day one of the new production.
“Everything was ready to go so they’re gutted it’s immediately ground to a halt. Everyone was told to stay away and those involved now must self-isolate.
“They can take no chances, particularly with some of the returning winners potentially vulnerable.”
A spokeswoman for the show told The Sun: “As a result of a positive Covid-19 result received yesterday we have implemented our protocols and a number of crew members are self-isolating at home.
“As a result, we are unable to continue filming our BGT Christmas Special today and have taken the decision to postpone.
“The safety of all those involved in the show is our number one priority and we follow extensive Covid-19 related procedures to adhere to all Government guidelines.”
