Asbestos is said to have been discovered in ‘large sections’ of the infamous studios where a number of Britain’s biggest TV shows are made.
The Elstree Studios complex in north-west London is said to have been found to contain the dangerous fibres, which are known to cause cancer.
The reported discovery could throw the filming schedules of a number of shows into ‘chaos’, including Netflix drama The Crown.
Strictly Come Dancing will reportedly be unaffected, as it is made in a section of the studio complex which is not affected by the asbestos, but filming is said to have stopped elsewhere while checks are made.
An Elstree Film Studios spokesperson told The Sun : “As a precautionary measure, we are arranging asbestos checks in some areas of Elstree Film Studios to ensure they meet health and safety standards.
“Our operations will resume as soon as investigations and any remedial work required are complete.”
The Crown producers have said they will continue as normal until Elstree informs them what precautions will be necessary.
A spokeswoman for Netflix told the publication: “The Crown is not filming on affected areas and production continues as planned. We await further information from Elstree with regards to any remedial work required”.
This comes after The Crown resumed filming following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, which prompted production to be paused.
Netflix bosses halted filming in Barcelona for one day when the monarch died last week, with another break planned for her funeral.
Pictures show the moment Elizabeth Debicki, who is taking on the role of Princess Diana, got back in front of the cameras as production continued.
A spokesperson for Netflix said: "As a mark of respect, filming on The Crown was suspended today. Filming will also be suspended on the day of Her Majesty The Queen's funeral."
Stephen Daldry, who directed very early episodes, has always said – when the show first aired – that production would halt as a mark of respect.
Speaking in 2016 he said: "None of us know when that time will come but it would be right and proper to show respect to the Queen.
"It would be a simple tribute and a mark of respect. She’s a global figure and it’s what we should do," he said after The Crown made its debut on Netflix.
Creator of The Crown Peter Morgan, who also wrote the 2006 film The Queen starring Helen Mirren, told Deadline that he expected production to "stop filming out of respect" for a period of time.
