Two judges from Britain’s Got Talent were instructed to self-isolate after three crew members tested positive for COVID-19 during preparations for the show’s Christmas special. The precautionary measures affected half of the ITV judging panel — Alesha Dixon, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Ashley Banjo, who had been standing in for Simon Cowell — and required those impacted to remain at home under government isolation rules for 14 days.
Simon Cowell himself was not present at filming, as he is currently recovering from a serious back injury sustained in August. Production sources explained that several of the crew who tested positive worked in close proximity to members of the judging panel. As a result, producers informed the judges and asked them to begin the mandatory period of self-isolation while awaiting any necessary testing.
Insiders described the response as immediate and deliberate. Once tests returned positive for the three crew members shortly before the first day of filming, production halted and staff were told not to report to the set. The decision to pause the shoot aimed to limit further risk and give time to follow the established health protocols.
“It’s the last thing Britain’s Got Talent bosses would have wanted on day one of the new production,” one source said. “Everything was ready to go, so they were gutted when it 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.”
According to those close to the production, the judges who were asked to self-isolate will need to be tested before they can end their quarantine. While the expectation is that the judges will likely test negative, the production team is taking no risks and is following a cautious, waiting-game approach until all test results and isolation periods have been completed.
Producers took the additional step of postponing the entire BGT Christmas special for the day, prioritizing health and safety above scheduling. The move followed established COVID-19 procedures designed to protect cast, crew and guests, and to ensure compliance with government guidance intended to limit the spread of the virus on set.
A spokesperson for the show confirmed the precautionary measures, noting that after receiving a positive COVID-19 result they had implemented protocols and asked a number of crew members to self-isolate at home. “As a result, we are unable to continue filming our BGT Christmas Special today and have taken the decision to postpone,” the statement said. “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.”
The interruption highlights the ongoing challenges television productions face while operating during the pandemic. Even with procedures in place, a single positive test among closely working staff can trigger a broad response to prevent further transmission. In this case, the proactive steps taken by the BGT team included immediate isolation, testing, and a temporary suspension of filming to safeguard everyone involved.
All parties impacted by the positive tests are following health guidance, and the production will reassess its schedule once the required isolation periods and any additional testing are complete. Organizers say they will prioritize safety when determining a new date to resume work on the Christmas special.