‘Masked Singer’ among UK shows returning with live audience

The Masked Singer UK

The Masked Singer UK is set to return to production on its second season next month, becoming one of the first British shows to feature a live studio audience since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is reported that the Argonon-backed Bandicoot TV-produced series, which is broadcast by ITV, will be filmed over eight nights at its north London studio, with ticketing company SRO Audiences warning that attendees must adhere to social distancing guidelines and would be removed or refused entry if they did not comply.

According to Deadline, SRO is warning audience members that they attend at their own risk, writing on its website: “It is important that you understand that we are not able to guarantee that you will not be exposed to COVID-19. Therefore, you should consider both your own medical health (and any specific risks associated with COVID-19) and that of those in your household or others with whom you may come into contact with.”

The UK government approved a return for indoor productions last week, with The Masked Singer joining other shows including ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and the BBC’s QI with filming in front of a live audience.

BBC entertainment chief Kate Phillips also recently told TBI how the broadcaster planned to ensure production of its hit entertainment series Strictly Come Dancing.

Phillips said the professional dancers would be paired with celebrities to practice routines, but the duos would then keep contact with other contestants to a minimum.

“If someone tests positive for Covid – we will of course be doing regular testing, I can’t stress enough that the health and safety of cast and crew is the most important thing here – it would be contained within that partnership, so everyone else could hopefully continue because they won’t have had contact.”