Little Mix: The Search has been postponed in a last minute schedule shake-up, it was announced on Saturday.
The BBC Talent show, in which the band attempt to look for the next music superstars, has been taken off air to make way for Boris Johnson’s press conference, in which he is expected to announce a second nationwide lockdown.
Instead, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson will return to screens for the semi-final next Friday, with the final following on Saturday.
On hold: Little Mix: The Search has been postponed in a last minute schedule shake-up, it was announced on Saturday (Little Mix pictured with host Chris Ramsay)
In a statement shared on Twitter, they wrote: ‘Little Mix The Search has been postponed tonight for a BBC News special.
‘The Show will now become part of a big final event weekend, with the semi-final airing at 7pm on Friday 6th November and the final at 6.05pm on Saturday 7th November.’
TV schedules were given a last minute reshuffle on Saturday as the Prime Minister prepared to address the nation from 10 Downing Street.
Change of plan: The BBC Talent show has been taken off air to make way for Boris Johnson’s press conference, in which he is expected to announce a second nationwide lockdown
Boris will complete a U-turn by announcing blanket coronavirus restrictions for England at a press conference alongside medical and science chiefs Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance.
The draconian measures – being billed as ‘Tier Four’ on the government’s sliding scale – are set to come into force from midnight Thursday morning after bleak Sage modelling projected the virus could kill 85,000 this winter, far above the previous ‘reasonable worst case’.
Celebrity Mastermind was due to air at 5.35pm, followed by Little Mix: The Search at 6.05pm, but the press conference has caused a major schedule change.
Little Mix fans looking forward to the show were naturally unimpressed with the announcement, with many taking to Twitter to share their thoughts.
Schedule shake-up: Instead, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson will return to screens for the semi-final next Friday, with the final following on Saturday
Announcement: TV schedules were given a last minute reshuffle on Saturday as the Prime Minister prepared to address the nation from 10 Downing Street
‘IM SO MAD AT BBC!!! First they are only available on uk and now they just shut you down?? That’s not fair! So disrespectful’ ranted one angry person.
While another moaned: ‘i promise id much rather watch this than listen to boris waffle.’
‘Damn, this was the only thing I had to look forward to this week’ fumed a third fan.
‘As if boris couldn’t get any worse…he’s now delayed the only enjoyable time of the week’ tweeted a fourth.
Unhappy: Little Mix fans looking forward to the show were naturally unimpressed with the announcement, with many taking to Twitter to share their thoughts
With another adding: ‘yeah i was really excited, now i’m just gonna lay down and cry while listening to little mix’ sad songs.’
The news comes as a further blow for the talent show after they were forced to postpone an episode earlier this month after ‘a small number’ of crew members tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement the BBC confirmed the planned shows had been delayed by a week so crew members could self-isolate.
They said: ‘We can confirm that a small number of people on the Little Mix The Search production have tested positive for coronavirus and they are now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines.
‘Due to the format of the show we have made the decision to postpone Saturday’s programme.
Drama: The news comes as a further blow for the talent show after they were forced to postpone an episode earlier this month after ‘a small number’ of crew members tested positive for COVID-19
‘There are rigorous protocols in place to manage Covid-19 as the safety of all those involved in the production is paramount. We hope to be back on air on Saturday 24 October.’
BBC also confirmed that none of Little Mix themselves have tested positive for coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the first live show last Saturday kicked off without Jade Thirwall, after she was forced to self-isolate at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement announcing the news read: ‘Jade has to self-isolate this week and will therefore be carrying out her role as Mentor on Little Mix The Search from home.
One down: Meanwhile, the first live show last Saturday kicked off without Jade Thirwall, after she was forced to self-isolate at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic
‘For this Saturday’s show, Jade will participate via video link, continuing to mentor alongside Jesy, Leigh-Anne and Perrie.’
People in the UK self-isolate if they show any symptoms or are tested positive for COVID-19. They also quarantine if someone they live with or a member of their support bubble catch the virus.
Little Mix: The Search has seen the X Factor winners join forces to find a group that can support them on their upcoming tour, auditioning plenty of hopefuls that could be formed into six different types of bands.
On the hunt: Little Mix: The Search has seen the X Factor winners join forces to find a group that can support them on their upcoming tour