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The coronavirus pandemic has already had a huge impact on all areas of the entertainment world and UK soaps are no exception.
All of the big four – that’s the BBC’s EastEnders, ITV’s Coronation Street and Emmerdale and Hollyoaks on Channel 4 – have been affected by the pandemic.
It’s been announced that filming has stopped on all four shows, but as they’re recorded weeks in advance, we still have plenty more episodes to keep us entertained, albeit not as frequently, as the schedules have all been adapted.
Here’s when you can catch your favourites…
EASTENDERS
The BBC has suspended filming of EastEnders “until further notice”, although production – the writing and planning – will continue.
As the long-running soap is filmed eight weeks in advance, EastEnders fans will still be able to get their fix of Walford from episodes already filmed, and TV bosses say just two episodes will air each week to make them last as long as possible.
When can I watch EastEnders?
EastEnders will air on Mondays at 8pm and Tuesday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
CORONATION STREET
ITV suspended filming on the UK’s longest running TV soap from Monday 23 March because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement ITV said: “We’ve been doing our best to carry on filming, whilst adhering to the Government’s latest health guidelines, to ensure we’ve episodes of both soaps [Coronation Street and Emmerdale] airing on ITV until at least the early summer.
“However, the health and well-being of the production teams, actors, crew and their families is of paramount importance to us and we now feel that the time has come to stop filming.”
When can I watch Coronation Street?
From 30 March, Corrie will air on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV.
EMMERDALE
The number of Emmerdale episodes to air each week has been reduced by ITV to keep the soap on air until “at least the early summer”.
The broadcaster has already suspended filming on the Yorkshire-based soap because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
When can I watch Emmerdale?
From 30 March, Emmerdale will air three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7pm on ITV.
HOLLYOAKS
From Monday 30 March, Hollyoaks will be reduced from five weekly episodes down to three.
When can I watch Hollyoaks?
The Channel 4 soap which will air Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 6.30pm.
There will also be “extra special episodes” every Thursday and Friday on E4.
