Coronavirus: GMB's Ranvir Singh keeps her distance from Piers Morgan

Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh sat apart from co-host Piers Morgan while broadcasting the show – in keeping with social distancing guidelines.

As part of efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) the goverment is advising people to maintain a safe distance of two metres.

Singh, 42, told viewers: “There is a table between us here. Just to say our working patterns are changing too.”

Morgan, 54, added: “Usually the studio is packed with people, camera operators, sound guys, floor managers, technicians and so on. A very tiny number of people today, very quiet. It’s just precautionary. We know people are going to go off sick, we know we have to keep the show on air as people need accurate, up-to-date information.”

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They revealed there would usually be 20 to 30 people in the studio for the live breakfast show.

Singh said: “It’s been done on purpose really, not everyone has gone off sick. It’s a case of changing our patterns.”

GMB’s regular co-host Susanna Reid is self-isolating at home after her son developed a cough, but spoke to her colleagues via video link. She is adhering to the latest government advice that people should isolate for 14 days if anyone in their household shows symptoms of a persistent cough or high temperature.

Lord Sugar has called for Morgan to also stay away from the GMB studio.

He tweeted: “If @susannareid100 may have Corona passed on from her son. Does it not follow that as she has been in contact with @piersmorgan he should be in isolation also.”

Morgan has not replied as he has blocked his friend Lord Sugar – with whom he has long shared jovial banter on social media – after they disagreed over the government response to the coronavirus pandemic.