\'Hollyoaks\' is to further reduce its weekly episodes to two, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Channel 4 soap recently announced it was pausing filming and slashing the number of episodes from five to three a week from Monday (30.03.20), due to the virus outbreak, and the channel has now revealed the show will only air twice a week from April 6th.
They said in a statement: "We announced this week that filming on \'Hollyoaks\' has paused, however in order to make sure the show stays on air for as long as possible we have adapted the schedule and further reduced the number of episodes per week to two from Monday 6th April."
Channel 4 Director of Programming Ian Katz said: "The coronavirus outbreak is an enormous creative challenge for all broadcasters and though it is having a profound impact on getting some of our productions onto screen, it\'s also a time when public service broadcasters like Channel 4 can step up and help people navigate through the extraordinary challenges we all now face."
And the channel\'s Chief Executive Alex Mahon said: "In these extremely uncertain and challenging times, public service broadcasters like Channel 4 play a vitally important role in holding our nation together.
"We are here to inform the audience with trusted news and current affairs, to help them stay in touch with what\'s going on around them and, just as importantly, to lift them up and make them feel connected with the rest of the world when they are isolated at home."
On Sunday (22.03.20), \'Hollyoaks\' revealed it was pausing filming and cutting episodes, but there will be a special look-back programme, \'Hollyoaks Favourites\', co-hosted by Kieron Richardson (Ste Hay) and Jorgie Porter (Theresa McQueen) on Thursdays and Fridays.
They said in a statement: "It is with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to pause filming of \'Hollyoaks\'.
"From Monday 30th March, we will be reducing the number of our weekly new episodes from five down to three, which will air Monday to Wednesday.
"To make sure we stay on air every week night, fans can look forward to extra special episodes every Thursday and Friday on E4, as we begin a brand new series of \'Hollyoaks Favourites\'.
"Introduced by Kieron Richardson and Jorgie Porter, this series will give viewers a chance to revisit some of our biggest episodes, from weddings, bust-ups, heartbreaks and some of our biggest and best stunts.
"We will start the series with Mercedes\' fourth wedding, to Dr Browning."
