TV presenter Philip Schofield has admitted he could not avoid shaking Boris Johnson’s hand before his appearance on This Morning.

The prime minister sat down with the ITV show host and co-presenter Holly Willoughby to speak about the UK government’s ongoing response to the virus outbreak.

Mr Schofield said he kept his hands by his side as Mr Johnson walked onto the set because he wanted to “see what would happen” amid fears coronavirus could spread easily.

“You came straight in here and I kept my hands by my side to see what would happen and you shook my hand,” said Mr Schofield.

Mr Johnson replied: “I’ve been going around hospitals as you can imagine and always shake hands. People make their own decisions. Washing them is the most effective thing [to do] rather than barring all forms [of greeting].”

When asked if the prime minister had washed his hands before the handshake, Mr Johnson said: “I washed my hands. My advice to everybody is: wash your hands at all times.”

The NHS has not advised people not to shake hands or avoid public places unless instructed to by medical professionals and is emphasising the need to wash hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds at a time.