‘WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS'

Dr Hilary Jones chats to TV Times about important and positive lessons to be learnt from lockdown

- Tess Lamacraft

Among all the uncertainty, worry and confusion, Dr Hilary Jones has remained a steady guiding light throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The GP has been an informative and comforting presence on our screens since 1989 when he made his television debut on breakfast show TV-am.

And since lockdown began at the end of March, Dr Hilary’s daily appearances alongside, among others, Lorraine Kelly on ITV’s Good Morning Britain have been praised by viewers as a reliable source of clear and concise advice.

It’s the end of a very busy week when Dr Hilary, who is still a practising GP, calls TV Times for a chat – and, we have to say, just hearing his voice on the other end of the phone has an instant soothing effect on us.

Here, father-of-five Dr Hilary, 66, who is married to fitness instructor Dee Thresher, explains why we need to remain patient during lockdown and shares his optimism that there will be some positives to emerge from the pandemic…

Viewers have been praising you for bringing some much-needed clarity to the coronavirus crisis. How do you see your role?

My role is to put everything in perspective and give people the information they need to act responsibly. I want to reassure people that we will get through this, but, at the same time, not be too reassuring because it’s crucial that we all take COVID-19 incredibly seriously and continue to do our bit. My other role is to help people make sense of the confusing science because we’re hearing one thing one day and something else the next.

Are you worried that people are starting to suffer with lockdown fatigue?