Jeremy Vine has "stopped handshakes" to prevent spreading the coronavirus.

Jeremy Vine

Jeremy Vine

The 54-year-old presenter is determined to protect himself from the virus by avoiding skin-to-skin contact with friends and fans.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he explained: "I've stopped handshaking.

"Someone came up to me earlier and tried to shake my hand. I said 'It's lovely to see you' but I lean back, I've got a tactic."

Jeremy's new strategy comes after the UK saw its biggest 24-hour spike of the virus on Wednesday (04.03.20), with 89 cases confirmed, and health experts have warned there could be a "significant pandemic" in a few weeks.

However, Jeremy is more worried about his mother's health than his own, as virus is more of a threat to people aged 80 or above.

He continued: "I'm not worried especially for myself, because if you look at the profile for people who are dying it's mainly older.

"I worry for them and I worry for my mum. If you're over 80 it is tricky."

Jeremy was also reduced to tears knowing that some of his BBC Radio Two listeners are currently in isolation because of fears they could catch the deadly virus.

Jeremy's listeners tune into his afternoon show to hear a friendly voice after spending the day alone, and the presenter has admitted to being saddened by the situation.

He added: "The last thing that made me cry was some of our older listeners with coronavirus, they are actually already in isolation because they are so worried. And we're the only voices they hear in the day. And that is really sad to me."


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