Alex Jones and Patrick Kielty changed their seating arrangements on Thursday’s episode of The One Show amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The pair began the show sitting close to each other as normal, until viewers complained that they should have been practicing social distancing.
People are being encouraged to remain further apart from one another while the coronavirus sweeps through Britain so Alex, 43, and Patrick, 49, decided to keep their distance.
Distance: Alex Jones, 43, and Patrick Kielty, 49, changed their seating arrangements on Thursday’s episode of The One Show amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
Alex acknowledged the concerns of viewers and said it was simply hard to break well-established habits.
‘We are having a lot of emails about social distancing and the fact that we’re quite close together,’ she said. ‘We hear you, and we’ve moved farther apart.’
She added: ‘It”s just hard to break habits, isn’t it? That’s what it is. We’re so used to sitting, but yeah, you are absolutely right.’
Some viewers took to social media to criticise the seating arrangements, with one user saying: ‘No social distancing on The One Show. Come on show some leadership. At least one metre between people, but preferably two metres.’
Not impressed: The pair began the show sitting close to each other as normal, until viewers complained that they should have been practicing social distancing
Another wrote: ‘Why are they sitting so close together? The presenters facing each other when they speak so close #TheOneShow #COVID19’.
Another viewer added: ‘Immediately after a government message about the Coronavirus, these two are on the sofa next to each other. Great job promoting social distancing #TheOmneShow #coronavirus’.
Alex and Peter were joined by none other than Emily Atack for The One Show on Thursday.
Social distance: People are being encouraged to remain further apart from one another while the coronavirus sweeps through Britain
Reaction: Many viewers were not impressed with Alex and Patrick sitting close together
The TV presenter cut a casual figure as she got her hair and makeup done backstage ahead of the live episode.
Alex donned a pink shirt and dark trousers for the day while her brunette locks were styled into her trademark bob.
Emily was a guest alongside The Body Coach Joe Wicks who gave viewers tips on how to stay active while at home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Preparations: Alex cut a casual figure as she got her hair and makeup done backstage ahead of the live episode of The One Show on Thursday
The TV star, 30, opted for a laid back look for her appearance on the programme, donning a black long-sleeved top and matching jeans.
The Extra Camp host looked in good spirits as she hung out backstage with Alex and members of the crew.
The former Inbetweeners star is gearing up to go on her next comedy tour Emily Atack has left the group and recently shared the dates on her Instagram account.
Interview: Emily Atack, 30, was a guest on the show and opted for a laid back look for her appearance on the programme, donning a black long-sleeved top and matching jeans
The shows kick off in September and Emily is keeping her fingers crossed the coronavirus outbreak will not effect the gigs as it has done with several upcoming concerts and shows planned for the next few weeks.
Announcing the tour, Emily wrote: ‘We thought long and hard about announcing this, but with the shows being far ahead, I only hope we’ll be through this very hard time by then, and we’ll all be in the mood for a laugh. Thanks so much for the support.’
It comes as The One Show host Matt Baker is currently absent from the set as he is self-isolating for two weeks due to the pandemic.
appeared via a videolink on Tuesday’s show where he revealed that he is working from home as a precaution as someone in his family has a cough.
The show opened with Alex sitting alone on a sofa as she explained Matt’s absence.
Tour: The former Inbetweeners star is gearing up to go on her next comedy tour Emily Atack has left the group
She said: ‘Welcome to Tuesday’s live The One Show with me Alex Jones and as you can see, look, the sofa is empty. No Matt Baker. Like so many of you, he’s working from home today. Matthew, what’s going on?’
The show then panned onto a videolink where Matt was sitting on a sofa with his pet dog, he explained: ‘Yes, well I am at home and this is my [pointing to his dog] Alex Jones for tonight and probably for the next two weeks.
‘This afternoon we got a phonecall, there’s four of us here in this household and one of us has a cough so we’re following the Prime Minister’s guidelines and now spending the next two weeks self-isolating.’
Matt continued: ‘I kind of expected this to come and feel as ready as we can do. We’re more than happy to do our bit and do what’s right for everybody, look out for our neighbours.’
Self-isolating: Matt Baker is self-isolating for two weeks and left Alex to present The One Show alone in the studio amid the global coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday
To which Alex added: ‘Obviously I’m disappointed you’re not with me but it’s a sensible precaution and it’s lovely to see Bob [Matt’s pet dog]. We love Bob, hi Bob!
‘As you are working from home though, I am still going to put you to use of course so stay where you are and I’ll come back to you in a bit.’
And Alex stayed true to her word as Matt continue to co-host The One Show from his sitting room with his pet dog via videolink.
Alone: The presenter, 42, appeared via a videolink where he revealed that he is working from home as a precaution as someone in his family has a cough
Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that the coronavirus was now in a phase of rapid spread across the UK, with London seeing a particular surge, and it was time to take radical action to stop the NHS being swamped.
Everyone should avoid contact that is not absolutely necessary – with restaurants, bars and cinemas and travel off limits, and an end to large gatherings. Admitting that the squeeze could last 12 weeks or even longer, the PM acknowledged he was ‘asking a lot’.
Entire households should self-isolate for two weeks if one person has been showing symptoms, and older people should prepare to stay away from risks for months to come. He said that meant ‘you should not go out, even to buy food or essentials’.
Explanation: The show opened with Alex sitting alone on a sofa as she explained Matt’s absence