'Peaky Blinders' and 'Line of Duty' filming has been postponed following the coronavirus outbreak.

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy

Production on the two BBC shows has been halted after the virus - also known as Covid-19 - spread further around the world.

A BBC spokesperson told The Guardian: "In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, the producers - Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Productions - of 'Peaky Blinders' S6 have postponed filming, and World Productions on 'Line of Duty' S6 have suspended filming, both in consultation with and supported by the BBC.

"We will continue to review all productions on a case-by-case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organization and Public Health England."

The sixth series of 'Peaky Blinders' - which stars Cillian Murphy and Helen McCrory - was due to begin shortly.

And filming on the sixth series of 'Line of Duty' - which features Adrian Dunbar and Vicky McClure - started in Northern Ireland last month.

Coronavirus - symptoms of which include breathing issues - has left more than 6,500 around the world dead.

This isn't the first time of the 'Line of Duty' filming schedule was tested.

While shooting the last series, a dodgy prawn curry nearly caused havoc with 'Line of Duty' filming after the cast and crew were struck down with food poisoning "like a domino effect".

Stephen Graham (John Corbett) and Rochenda Sandall - who played gang member Lisa McQueen in the BBC thriller - were among the stars who began turning "pasty and sweaty" after chowing down on the fishy food on their break.

Rochenda said: "We all had the prawn curry on a night shoot, and we all started to go a bit pasty, a bit sweaty.

"I said to Steve, 'Are you all right mate?' And he said, 'Oof, I feel a bit rough, mate.'

"I went, 'What did you have for dinner?' And he went, 'Oh, the prawn curry.' And the same with Ali [Natkiel, Lee Banks], he went, 'I've had the prawn curry as well.'

"It was like a domino effect between all the crew."

Rochenda admitted the scene "really nearly" resembled one from comedy movie 'Bridesmaids', in which several characters begin exploding out of both ends after getting food poisoning from a restaurant.

She said: "You've got to keep it together.

"I was actually quite surprised that you couldn't tell. The make-up girls did a tremendous job. A brilliant job to hide it."