Dancing on Ice takes emergency precautions amid coronavirus fears

A medical team is being kept on standby in case the virus reaches the studio

Fears of the deadly coronavirus have forced popular ITV reality show Dancing On Ice to put emergency procedures in place.

With the number of cases in the UK now up to 16, the show’s producers are concerned the virus could spread to the studio in Hertfordshire.

Dancing On Ice will currently continue as planned, with the semi-final of the dance competition scheduled for Sunday 1 March.

The series’ production staff are keen to protect the skaters, crew and audience, as well as hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

Associate Creative Director Dan Whiston told The Sun: “There is hand sanitiser everywhere and procedures have been put in place to protect the cast and crew, so I know they’re all over that.

“Without panicking people, you’ve got to be one step in front, always.”

There is also reportedly a specially briefed medical team on standby.

The virus has now killed more than 2,800 people around the world, and more than 82,000 people have been infected.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently said: “there is every indication the world will soon enter a pandemic phase”.