Filming for the new series of Britain's Got Talent has reportedly been delayed amid the ongoing certainty surrounding coronavirus.

Auditions for the new run were due to be filmed at the London Coliseum theatre near Covent Garden between January 17 and 20, with a limited, socially-distanced audience present.

Amid an alarming rise in infections, London is currently in tier four COVID restrictions - meaning that all entertainment venues must remain closed - and according to The Sun, producers have now taken the decision to postpone the BGT auditions as a result.

"COVID's causing havoc with BGT filming," a source told the newspaper. "The producers want to keep viewers entertained and put a smile on people's faces but the safety of the cast, crew and contestants is the priority.

"It is at the centre of every decision. A live audience and their reaction is a vital part of the show's success, too, so producers want to keep that element and, if it all means delays, then so be it."

Media Mole understands that the auditions have provisionally been rescheduled for January 28 to February 1, although those dates could again change depending on the government's decision on whether to keep London in tier four restrictions.