Channel 4 looks set to shelve this year’s ‘Celebrity Hunted’ and the civilian version.
Bosses are thought to have cancelled the reality show – which sees contestants go on the run and try to avoid capture from intelligence officers – due to safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre TV column: "It’s a blow to Channel 4 but they have to put the safety of contestants first.
"And with empty streets and half-desolate train and bus stations, they’d be sitting ducks for the hunters, which isn’t great TV."
As lockdown begins to ease, the production crew are thought to be worried the contestants won’t be able to get very far without getting caught due to the lack of public transport.
The news has hindered Nigel Farage’s stint on the show after he was in talks to star in the upcoming celebrity version, which raises cash for Stand Up to Cancer, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s dad Stanley Johnson took part last year.
A pal said: "Nigel is always inundated with offers for reality TV shows and turns them down – but ‘Celebrity Hunted’ has piqued his interest.
"After seeing Stanley Johnson on the show last year, Nigel said he was more keen to do it. On his behalf his team have been negotiating a package for him."
It is thought Nigel would have been up against Boris Johnson’s pal Jennifer Arcuri and ex-footballers Ally McCoist and talkSPORT host Alan Brazil.
However, Channel 4 bosses haven’t officially ruled out this year’s show just yet, as they are waiting for the country to be safe enough to continue filming.
A Channel 4 spokeswoman added: "We are monitoring the situation very carefully and are looking at all options for producing the show safely.
"Filming of the series will begin when it is safe to do so."