'Little Mix The Search' live show postponed after crew get COVID-19

The next episode of Little Mix’s talent show The Search has had to be postponed after some of the production team tested positive for coronavirus.

The girlband – Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwell, Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson – judge the BBC talent show, which was due to air its first live show on Saturday.

Little Mix said in a statement: "We can confirm that a small number of people on the Little Mix The Search production have tested positive for coronavirus and they are now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines.

"Due to the format of the show we have made the decision to postpone Saturday's programme.

“There are rigorous protocols in place to manage COVID-19 as the safety of all those involved in the production is paramount.

Read more: Little Mix criticise The X Factor for being inauthentic

"We hope to be back on air on Saturday 24 October."

The talent show, hosted by comedian Chris Ramsay, has seen the girlband hold auditions to find a boyband, a mixed group, a girl vocal group, an instrumental band, a girl dance band and a rap and R&B group.

They had been due to face off in the first Battle of the Bands live show this weekend before the positive test results forced them to put things on hold.

Read more: Jesy Nelson opens up on experiencing panic attack during Live Lounge performance

Little Mix won ITV show The X Factor in 2011, giving them confidence that they know how to judge their own talent show.

Thirlwell recently said of rivalling Simon Cowell’s show: “I think with Simon it’s all fun and games. We’ve got no personal vendetta against him.

“We moved on and, to be fair, over the years we didn’t actually see him that much. We’re not ones to hold grudges.”

Watch: Little Mix audition hopefuls for a girl dance group