THE VIRUS IN BRIEF
JUDGE Rinder believes he has recovered from Covid-19. After emerging from self-isolation, he told This Morning’s Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby: “I’m just through the other side of it. It’s been 20 days. I feel well now.” The TV favourite said he refused to pay for a test “because frontline NHS staff can’t get them”. He had a “terrible temperature, appalling cough”, he said. He’d been stranded “on the bed, in a coma watching the Kardashians” - joking: “So I must have been really ill”
He then stuck around to advise on viewers’ virus-related problems.
BRITAIN’S oldest family business says its “very loyal” customers will help it beat the pandemic. Master butchers R J Balson and Son of Bridport, Dorset, started trading in 1515 and has survived floods, fire, plague and two World Wars. Proprietor Richard Balson said orders from pubs, restaurants and B&Bs closed in the lockdown “just finished overnight”.
But he added: “People are coming in and buying extra meat, especially things they can freeze. Sausages and bacon are popular, things people can cook quickly.
“We’re being sensible and obeying the social distancing rules. But we still have time to stop and chat to our customers like we have always done – just at a safer distance.”
OPERA singer Placido Domingo has been hospitalised in Mexico from complications caused by Covid-19. The legendary tenor, 79, revealed his positive diagnosis last week in a Facebook post in which he reminded fans of the importance of hand-washing and following official guidelines.
Domingo’s spokesman yesterday announced that he was “doing well and responding to treatment” in an Acapulco hospital.
Other stars to be stricken include actors Tom Hanks and Idris Elba and country musician John Prine.
ANGELA Rippon is offering free ballet lessons online to over-55s. The TV presenter, 75, joined up with the Royal Academy of Dance to launch weekly classes to keep older people stay active during lockdown.
Silver Swans aims to improve mobility, posture, coordination and boost energy levels.
Angela said: “The great thing about Silver Swans ballet exercises is that you don’t have to go leaping around the room like CarlosAcosta.You can do them in one place – using a solid surface as a barre, and work on your core, balance, flexibility and strength.”
Classes begin tomorrow at 1pm for nine weeks via the academy’s website and social media channels. Between sessions, bitesize videos will help viewers hone their skills.