Jason Manford gives his nan the ‘biggest cuddle’ as he marks lightened lockdown rules

Lightened lockdown restrictions in the UK means Britons are allowed to hug their friends and family again for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

And Jason Manford met with his nan on Monday and gave her the ‘biggest cuddle’ now that they were allowed to.

The comedian, 39, was not the only one who celebrated the milestone, as he joined a number of stars marking the moment they could hug loved ones again.

Jason and his mum Sharon went to visit his grandmother and they took a sweet family snap together, where the funnyman could be seen holding her hand.

In the caption, Jason gushed: ‘Nana Manford! Gave her the biggest cuddle today. This last year has been so hard on her, hoping to make up for lost time!’ 

Keith Lemon was also ecstatic to be able to see his mum after rules were lifted, and shared a sweet selfie alongside her.

He wrote in the caption: ‘Finally reunited with my lovely mum! Have a great Monday! Right let’s get to that cinema! Then the pub, and theatre!’

Jeremy Vine meanwhile led his show by hugging his mum for the first time in a year, as he met her in the studio and they embraced. 

Amid the excitement from many, a slew of Boris Johnson’s top scientists today warned against socialising indoors and the ‘high risk’ of hugging friends because of the rise in Indian variant cases. 

The Prime Minister urged families to adopt a ‘heavy dose of caution’ and a cabinet colleague encouraged revellers to avoid ‘excessive drinking’ with ministers at loggerheads over whether to extend lockdown beyond June 21.

While people can hug loved ones, colleagues will have to wait until June to give their co-workers an embrace.

Holly Willoughby was unhappy with this turn of events, as she lamented not being able to hug Phillip Schofield yet but quipped: ‘I’m going to so lick your face. This is not the cautious hug Boris means is it?’ 

Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid rejected a request for a hug from her co-star Adil Ray on Monday’s show, in a bid to ‘protect’ the host. 

Marking the lightening of coronavirus restrictions, Adil, 47, ventured towards a concerned Susanna, 50, saying: ‘Come on, I haven’t seen you in such a long time!’ however she nervously declined his offer. 

Referencing the show’s medical professional Dr Hilary, she said: ‘What did Dr Hilary say? I am still in the mood for a virtual hug!’ 

She went on to say: ‘If we ration our hugs that means we can hug at more important times. I’m saving mine for my mum and dad, sorry Adil’.