'I am getting sick of people flouting coronavirus restrictions...and why do celebrities think they are above the law?

I’m getting highly sick of people who flout the regulations surrounding coronavirus distancing – particularly those in the public eye who do so, indulge in a show of pious humility and then carry on as if nothing happened in the first place. Who’s going to be next?

We’ve already witnessed examples of it. Although he was found not to have broken the rules, Boris Johnson’s former senior adviser Dominic Cummings was widely pilloried for doing all but breaking them whilst on a visit to Barnard Castle apparently testing his vision making sure he could still drive safely back to London – hundreds of miles away.

In October Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham was forced to apologise “for the naivety shown” when he went along to a party for his 23rd birthday. In May, Manchester City’s Kyle Walker wrote to his club’s supporters after breaching coronavirus restrictions. Now it’s happened again – this time with a high profile singer.

Also a serial paparazzi pleaser – this one says she’s “deeply sorry” for breaking English lockdown rules to celebrate her 30th birthday party at a restaurant in West London on Saturday.

It’s reported up to 30 people were at the party, although she described it as a “small gathering”.

Relatively speaking perhaps that is the case for her – but right now the only gathering where you can have people in close proximity

in that number is at a funeral.

“Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility,” she said in a written statement. She reportedly said it was a “spur of the moment” decision. “I’m deeply sorry for breaking the rules and, in turn, understand that this puts people at risk. This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgement.”

Deeply sorry? Spur of the moment? Pull the other one love – it’s got jingle bells on

it!

If she had indeed taken full responsibility, this person wouldn’t have been anywhere near any party, and neither would anyone else.

Is this the latest effect generated by the cult of celebrity where the practice of assuming that it’s all well and good to do as you please before trotting out some celebrity platitude about being sorry once caught which

will play well with social media?

What example does this set – is it not rather cynical?

This weekend Lewis Hamilton – perhaps Sir Lewis Hamilton soon – will be sitting out the Sakhir Grand Prix having contracted Covid-19.

He may not be back before the end of the season. His has been a remarkable example of self-control and discipline while others have failed dismally around him.

Right now, Lois and I are into planning for Christmas.

We’d love to be able to have everyone in our families round to us for lunch on Christmas Day and then to continue into Boxing Day.

As it stands for us here in Tier 2 right now, we can do so and without breaking any rules.

But if anything changes, we’ve already decided to stay separate for the Christmas break and then celebrate belatedly together once it’s safe and proper to do so.

Actually, this isn’t just because of the rules. It’s because it’s the right thing to do for the health of all of us.

My mum is in her 80s, as are Lois’ parents. We’re doing our utmost to stay safe, first and foremost – which means that we’re perhaps thinking more conscientiously than we have done when simply doing as we’re told.

It is that responsibility which has transferred itself from the government and scientists, to us.

Celebs, you might want to think about that – next time.