The BBC has confirmed that this Saturday's first live episode of Little Mix: The Search has been delayed due to a coronavirus outbreak among the production staff.

The series follows the girl group as they look to assemble a new band to support them on their next UK tour, which is tentatively scheduled to take place in 2021.

Six auditions episodes have aired over the last three weekends, during which time the four-piece have put together six new bands, and the first of the live episodes had been due to air on BBC One on Saturday.

The episode has now been canned, however, after several crew members tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days.

"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," said a BBC spokesperson.

"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.

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

The news comes a day after ITV was forced to cancel filming of its Britain's Got Talent Christmas special for similar reasons.