As the nation waits with bated breath to hear details of how this country will begin to leave lockdown, tensions are high. So it's natural that the breaching of rules by others would rub us up the wrong way. Unsurprisingly, then, the news that Anthea Turner - the TV presenter best known for once hosting Blue Peter - may have broken the rules has led to some consternation online, as well as from Piers Morgan on today's Good Morning Britain.
According to The Sun, Anthea threw a small event at her home in south-west London on February 12th. Pictures obtained by the newspaper show at least five female friends arriving at the flat in Kew. The images also show a messages and beautician visiting the property, supporting claims that the gathering was a pamper party.
'I can't believe Anthea's done something as irresponsible as this', a source told the newspaper. 'A steady stream of women arrived showing total disregard for precautions being taken by the vast majority of people in the country.'
Social media users have accused her of 'hypocrisy' and being 'selfish.'
Anthea is said to comment on the controversy. Former Bafta CEO Chantal Rickards and shop owner Julia Jaconelli are said to have been among the guests. Julia confirmed that the meeting took place at Anthea's home, but told The Sun that 'it was a business meeting.'
'It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble', the government guidelines explain. 'You cannot leave home for recreational or leisure purposes (such as for a picnic or a social meeting).' A meeting would be permissible 'for work, or providing voluntary or charitable services, where it is unreasonable to do so from home. This can include work in other people’s homes where necessary - for example, for nannies, cleaners, social care workers providing support to children and families, or tradespeople.'
The date of the alleged gathering - February 12th - coincided with Anthea's previous controversy. She upset many of her followers after posting an image of Twitter depicting an overweight woman eating fast food. A caption showed her criticise another woman for not wearing a mask, implying that traditionally 'unhealthy' people were hypocritical to attack 'healthy' people for disobeying Covid rules. Anthea apologised and said she would 'take the rollicking'.
'But how does that sit, Anthea Turner, with your outrageous scornful attack on overweight people for not doing their bit to protect the nation', Piers Morgan said this morning. 'You know what, it wasn’t work and it didn’t protect the NHS, did it?'