DERMOT O’LEARY celebrated the reopening of pubs across England in typically Irish style with a well-earned pint at 10am sharp.
The presenter was joined by his This Morning co-host Alison Hammond for the early morning booze session to mark the further easing of lockdown restrictions.
O’Leary opened the show by sipping on a pint and could do little to hide his joy at the prospect of being able to return to his local for the first time in months.
Both he and co-host Hammond were careful to stick to the rules though, with their pints enjoyed outside and in a carefully socially distanced manner.
Under the UK Government’s “road map” out of lockdown, restaurants, pubs and bars across England are allowed to welcome back customers from today.
While drinkers must sit outside and follow strict Covid rules, that hasn’t prevented many punters from braving the elements to enjoy a drink.
And O’Leary was ecstatic to be among them.
“And we are at the pub” he declard to viewers at home.
Hammond added a little Irish to proceedings by “having a Baileys” to celebrate.
“This is like our first jolly!” she declared to her co-host.
“It’s the biggest day in the government’s roadmap out of lockdown,” she added.
Find someone who looks at you the way @radioleary's looking at this beer out of lockdown... 🍺 pic.twitter.com/fLDm1GOtey
— This Morning (@thismorning) April 12, 2021
The reopening doesn’t just apply to pubs either with large parts of the economy back up and running including non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms.
“We are celebrating this milestone throughout the show,” O’Leary added, joking: “If you’re half-tanked get in touch.”
The situation in England stands in stark contrast to Ireland, where restrictions are only just beginning to be eased with schools reopening and some construction work recommencing.
O’Leary, to his credit, has done plenty to earn a pint or two, having volunteered during the pandemic to deliver essential groceries to those cocooning during the worst months of the crisis.
Sláinte, Dermot!
