EMMERDALE bosses have followed Coronation Street’s decision to axe their boozy Christmas bash over fresh fears about a possible coronavirus outbreak on set.
The cast was gutted to learn their party had been postponed earlier this week after plans for the raucous bash had been circulated around the stars.
An insider said: “It’s best for everyone if the party is postponed until 2022 – the safety of the cast and crew comes first.”
The Government is still officially urging people to press ahead with bashes and school nativities despite implementing Plan B restrictions.
But the rip of Omicron across the country has sparked fresh fears of tough countermeasures that could blow a hole in the festivities. Omicron could be infecting more than 4,000 Brits each day amid fears it will overtake Delta as the dominant UK variant.
Top Scottish scientists are already urging the public to pull the plug on gatherings to stop the spread.
It came as Westminster sowed more uncertainty after the PM and Chancellor both cancelled Christmas bashes.
No10 also cancelled its Christmas party as it faces growing claims of multiple Downing St bashes last year when rules forbade gatherings.
Health experts and ministers have urged all Brits to come forward for their vaccines and their boosters, which are key in the fight against Covid.
Emmerdale’s axed Christmas party comes after the Coronation Street cast were left fuming after their Christmas party was cancelled at the last minute amid Covid concerns.
ITV bosses made the decision to pull the bash as fears grow over the spread of the Omicron variant – despite calls from the cobbles’ characters to keep it.
An insider said: “Everyone is gutted the party has been cancelled.
“It’s usually a huge bash with loads of free booze and a chance for the cast to let their hair down after a long year.
“The younger castmates are particularly annoyed because they love getting glammed up.”
Earlier this year it was revealed that a number of stubborn big name stars and backroom staff were refusing to get Covid jabbed, which led to a rise in cases on the soap.
