...and TV is only company

TWO-THIRDS of British people are so lonely that they rely on their television for company, a survey has found.

Seven per cent have even asked ‘virtual assistants’ Alexa or Siri a question so they have someone to talk to.

Almost half of British adults are lonely, with 41 per cent feeling most alone when they get home from work, according to the poll for Rotary Great Britain and Ireland. Fourteen per cent have gone to the shops just for a chat, while the average Briton sits alone in front of the TV for three-anda-half hours a day – compared with spending just two hours with friends or family.

And almost a fifth of older people say they have no close friends at all.

Rotary’s Amanda Watkin said the organisation was ‘encouraging people to seek out new groups or volunteering opportunities as a way to meet new people...’