Doctor Hilary Jones warned Good Morning Britain viewers that they should continue to follow coronavirus rules at Christmas.
He was on the show discussing Victoria Derbyshire's apology regarding her comments that she wouldn't follow the 'rule of six' to spend time with her family this Christmas.
In in a Radio Times interview she said: "If the Rule of Six is still in place at Christmas, we're breaking it to have the rule of seven. We just are.
"Joining me, my husband and our two boys will be my mum, her partner and my husband's dad.
"It’s fine. We’ll do it knowing what the risks are. We’re not stupid.
"We’re going to be sensible and buy a thermometer gun. But we have to be together at Christmas."
The BBC presenter from Ramsbottom issued an apology on Twitter this morning.
She said: "Good morning. I’m starting the day by saying I’m sorry: a few weeks ago the Radio Times asked me (amongst other things) what would potentially happen at Christmas with my own family if the rule of six was still in place.
"I talked about my mum, her partner & my dad-in-law spending it with us - making seven in our home in a Tier One area (medium).
"It was hypothetical - however I was totally wrong to say it & I’m sorry.
"We’ll of course continue to follow whatever rules are in place on December 25th."
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Dr Hilary was relieved that Ms Derbyshire had apologised for her initial comments.
He said: "I want people to remember that 630 healthcare workers sacrificed their lives in the first quarter of this year fighting coronavirus because they picked it up from patients in hospitals.
"Now if we forget what the NHS has done so far and say 'I don't care I'm going to take the risk and I'm prepared to do that' to me, that is a selfish way to go forward.
"I think we all have to remember we’re only going to get through this if we're careful about how we behave, how we socially distance and how we protect ourselves and other people.
"That is the only way forward."
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