Production on The Only Way Is Essex has shut down amid the spread of coronavirus in the UK.

The long-running reality show's 26th season was due to begin broadcasting on ITVBe next Tuesday but in light of the latest government health guidelines it has been decided to delay the new run until later in the year.

Much of TOWIE is based on cast members attending parties and visiting bars and clubs - activities which the government has now advised the public to avoid in an effort to contain the deadly disease.

"It's also all about friendships and relationships, so the social lives of our cast members are at the heart of the show," a source told The Sun.

"In light of the current guidance from Public Health England and the World Health Organisation to practice social distancing, the best thing to do to keep our cast and crew as safe and secure as possible would be to postpone filming.

"We look forward to TOWIE returning later in the year when it will celebrate its 10th birthday."

Having originally debuted on ITV2 in 2010, TOWIE remains one of the most popular shows in the schedules with an average of almost 1m viewers for the most recent run.