How the return of Masked Singer Australia could be impacted by Melbourne’s coronavirus lockdown – after Lindsay Lohan quit the show due to COVID-19 travel restrictions
Lindsay Lohan was forced to step down from her role as a panelist on The Masked Singer Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
And now there are fears Melbourne’s new coronavirus lockdown will cause issues with its production.
With filming set for Melbourne and some of the program’s judges living in Sydney, the border closures could be problematic in keeping the show on schedule.
Scroll down for video
How the return of Masked Singer Australia could be impacted by Melbourne’s coronavirus lockdown- after Lindsay Lohan quit show due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Pictured: Sydney-based host Osher Gunsberg
A Channel 10 insider apparently told Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday that they were attempting to work out the minor issues.
Last week, Premier Daniel Andrews announced Melbourne would go into a six-week lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus across the state.
From 11.59pm on 8 July, metro Melbourne went into full lockdown.
Just a few hours earlier Channel 10 had released a promotional video for the new season of The Masked Singer Australia, hinting it was ‘coming soon’.
‘Coming soon’: Just hours before Melbourne went into full lowdown, Channel 10 had released a promotional video for the new season of The Masked Singer Australia (pictured)
Moving on: Last week, Lindsay Lohan (pictured) was forced to step down from her role as a panelist on The Masked Singer Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. And a new star will take her place, a report claimed on Friday
Judge Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and host Osher Gunsberg live in Sydney, and would need to self-isolate on returning to New South Wales if filming occurred in Victoria.
However, Osher would also be needed on set for The Bachelor franchise in Sydney, which could make it virtually impossible for him to do both shows concurrently.
If production moved to Sydney to accommodate Osher, it would likely cause issues for the Melbourne-based judges Dannii Minogue and Dave Hughes.
Domestic travel restrictions between NSW and Victoria has disrupted filming, with judge Dave Hughes confirming to Daily Mail Australia: ‘It’s delayed as far as I know.’
Stepping up: According to a report in the Herald Sun, comedian and actor Urzila Carlson (pictured) will step in as the new Masked Singer Australia judge
On hold: Season two of The Masked Singer was scheduled to begin filming later this month in the Victorian capital, but has been delayed because of the escalating pandemic. Pictured: Judge Dave Hughes
According to a report in the Herald Sun last week, comedian and actor Urzila Carlson may replace Lindsay Lohan as the new Masked Singer Australia judge.
Popular Auckland-based star Urzila has a new stand-up special which is set to launch on Netflix next week.
The 44-year-old, who was born in South Africa, is no stranger to Channel 10, making numerous appearances on the popular panel show Have You Been Paying Attention?
Network 10 have yet to confirm the publication’s claim.
‘We welcome speculation and the new panellist will be announced soon,’ a spokesperson told the paper.
Setback: Jackie ‘O’ Henderson (pictured) is based in Sydney for her KIIS FM breakfast show, and the new rules mean she may not be able to travel interstate for a while