Jeremy Vine says having coronavirus was 'like meeting Elvis'

Watch: Jeremy Vine shares Xmas coronavirus video diary

Jeremy Vine has described getting coronavirus as being “like meeting Elvis” after so many months reporting on the pandemic.

The 55-year-old, who also presents a show on BBC Radio 2, shared his experience of the virus during his Channel 5 current affairs programme.

He told viewers: “I had a weird one, I had COVID. I felt a bit ill on December the 22nd and then on the 23rd this was me.”

After showing a video of him looking pale and coughing, Vine added: “When you have reported so much on a virus and you finally get it, it’s like meeting Elvis.

“But actually, by day three, Christmas Day, I was a little better, although I had now had a positive test result.

“I followed all the rules. The family isolated. I had to isolate within the house.”

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Revealing that his symptoms included a persistent cough, muscle ache and a fever, he said he self-isolated in the spare room of his family home and recorded a series of video diaries.

The videos aired on his programme to show his viewers exactly what he had been dealing with over Christmas.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, the resident doctor for his TV show, also had to self-isolate after Vine called to alert her to his positive result, although she did not develop symptoms.

Vine played down his experience of the virus, saying he had received a “light dusting” compared with some people, but admitted it was “no fun” taking a nasal COVID-19 test.

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He added: “I basically felt unwell. It’s just as vague as that. I felt a bit overheated.”

The presenter has been reporting on the coronavirus pandemic across his Channel 5 and BBC Radio 2 shows, with the help of Dr Jarvis, who offers scientific analysis.

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