ITV has taken the decision to pull Good Morning Britain off air next week due to the recent surge in coronavirus cases.

The breakfast show was due to air from Wednesday to Friday next week in its usual slot but the crew have now been given the whole week off in the light of the worsening situation with COVID-19.

The rest of this week's live shows, as well as a special pre-recorded programme on Christmas Day, are scheduled to be broadcast as planned.

An ITV spokesperson told The Sun: "GMB was due to be on air from Weds 29th - Fri 31st December 2021 but due to the pandemic and to protect our teams, we have decided to give them an extended break.

"GMB will not broadcast next week, but will be back on air on Tues 4th Jan 2022."

Good Morning Britain was one of the few shows to remain on air during the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020, with then-hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid being deemed essential workers.