The Apprentice 2020 series in jeopardy as BBC bosses postpone filming due to the coronavirus crisis

The Apprentice 2020 series in jeopardy as BBC bosses postpone filming due to the coronavirus pandemic

The latest series of The Apprentice has been thrown into doubt as filming has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

BBC bosses and production company Boundless have halted production on the 16th installment on the business-based reality show and have been forced to cancel two trips abroad.

And now, there are fears that the whole series, fronted by Lord Sugar, could be axed as the nation continues to stay in lockdown amid the spread of the deadly COVID-19.

In jeopardy: The latest series of The Apprentice has been thrown into doubt as filming has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic

Filming for the programme was due to begin in the next few weeks, but everything has been put on hold amid the pandemic.

The BBC have said that they’ll review production of all TV shows on a ‘case by case’ basis and will continue to follow guidelines from the World Health Organisation. 

A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, Boundless the producers of The Apprentice, have postponed filming in consultation with and supported by the BBC.

‘We will continue to review all productions on a case by case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organisation and Public Health England.’

Halted: BBC bosses and production company Boundless have halted production on the 16th installment on the business-based reality show and have been forced to cancel two trips abroad (pictured: The 2019 candidates)

Halted: BBC bosses and production company Boundless have halted production on the 16th installment on the business-based reality show and have been forced to cancel two trips abroad (pictured: The 2019 candidates)

Meanwhile, a source further added to The Sun: ‘Filming has been scrapped for the foreseeable future so this year’s series may not air at all because of the coronavirus.

‘There were trips abroad planned which can’t be filmed now, on top of the rest of the show – so everyone is expecting it to be cancelled altogether as there’s no knowing how long lockdown will go on for.

‘It’s a real shame as it is massively popular and brings in millions of viewers but we can’t see how it’s going to be possible to get it out on time.’

Axed? And now, there are fears that the whole series, fronted by Lord Sugar, could be axed as the nation continues to stay in lockdown amid the spread of the deadly COVID-19

Axed? And now, there are fears that the whole series, fronted by Lord Sugar, could be axed as the nation continues to stay in lockdown amid the spread of the deadly COVID-19

Last year’s series of The Apprentice was won by Carina Lepore, who runs an artisan bakery.

She fought off stiff competition from Scarlett Allen-Horton, with the series bringing in an average of seven million viewers.

Shows across the nation hang in the balance as the global crisis continues to worsen, with long-running soaps such as Coronation Street, EastEnders and Holby being suspended.

Comment: 'In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, Boundless the producers of The Apprentice, have postponed filming in consultation with and supported by the BBC'

Comment: ‘In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, Boundless the producers of The Apprentice, have postponed filming in consultation with and supported by the BBC’

Dramas including Line Of Duty and Peaky Blinders have been also been halted, while production on films including Fantastic Beasts 3 and the new Batman movie have stopped.

The British Soap Awards was recently cancelled, while Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway live shows have been replaced by a highlights episode.  

Sporting events, music festival and other social gatherings have been either cancelled or postponed due to the crisis. 

Success: Last year's series of The Apprentice was won by Carina Lepore, who runs an artisan bakery

Success: Last year’s series of The Apprentice was won by Carina Lepore, who runs an artisan bakery