Emmerdale star Tony Audenshaw, 55, has revealed why the ITV soap will look “different” to viewers this week due to restrictions which have been implemented because of the coronavirus pandemic. The cast and crew have now returned to film on set, but have to adhere to social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
However, Tony explained during an interview with Lorraine Kelly on Good Morning Britain today that some upcoming episodes of the show were filmed before the COVID-19 outbreak, which means the actors were able to get closer to one another during scenes.
The star divulged: “People will be hugging and kissing this week because some were filmed before lockdown.”
Now the restrictions are in place, the Bob Hope star went on to admit to Lorraine that he unfortunately had to be “cut out” of an episode recently because “they can’t get more than five people on set”.
Addressing the changes on set, Tony revealed: “It is very different it has taken some getting used to.
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“The main difference is, I have got to do my own hair and makeup, as we all do – and my daughter has given me a great haircut.”
“First of all to match up episodes going out this week – we filmed some of it in the middle of March and some of it 10 days ago, so she had to look at a picture and cut my hair the same style it was then so it matched.”
The soap actor was then quizzed by Lorraine on how the differences on set have affected filming.
Tony explained: “You’re limited to a certain number of people on set, mainly because of the two-metre rule.
“He is fearing the worst, he thinks she might be seeing someone else, he doesn’t know what is happening, really.”
Tony’s revelations about the changes Emmerdale fans can expect from episodes filmed in lockdown come after Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale, opened up about scenes he found “difficult” to film with co-star Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle, when the pair returned to set.
While chatting to Lorraine on the ITV show last month about navigating social distancing rules, the actor explained: “The distance obviously is different.
“We’re having to abide by rules and stay two metres apart.”
He went on to discuss: “Believe it or not, it’s a lot more difficult for us to just do the everyday work because on top of that we’re in charge of cleaning and looking after our own props.
“You don’t realise how close you get to the director when you show them your scripts and suddenly you’re there.”
Danny, who joined the Emmerdale cast in 2008, continued to explain how people were there to ensure he and Jeff didn’t accidentally get too close.
The ITV star added: “So there were people who were put in place to kind of be there and ensure that we didn’t get carried away and suddenly get face to face. It was difficult, a lot different obviously.”
Emmerdale airs tonight at 7pm on ITV.