Nick Hewer will reportedly return to filming new episodes of Countdown in July despite ongoing concerns over the coronavirus.

Earlier this week the government gave the go-ahead for people to return to work if they are unable to work from home, paving the way for TV and film production to resume providing that it can be done safely.

At the age of 76, Hewer is classed in the high-risk category when it comes to COVID-19 but is expected to flout advice to stay at home in order to get back to work on the long-running Channel 4 series.

"There is a provisional date for July," co-host Rachel Riley told The Mirror. "When we go back we won't have any audience unfortunately. But like the rest of the country we are just going to play it by ear.

"When we are in the studio we should be able to be socially distance as there is the space. The space in the studio is okay, we can mic ourselves up.

"Nick is 76 so he has got to be a little bit careful."

Channel 4 are currently airing classic episodes of Countdown after new episodes ran out a fortnight ago.