A leading doctor who helped save Boris Johnson's life says coronavirus is 'this generation's polio' and warned it will have long-term effects on patients.

The Prime Minister, 55, spent a week at St Thomas's Hospital in London battling the virus in April, including three days in intensive care, admitting he came close to death.

With the FA Cup and Champions League also still to be completed, some dates are on the table for football's resumption which would result in a hectic summer ahead for Premier League players.

RMT's Assistant General Secretary Mick Lynch told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning that ministers want to be running 85%-100% of services within a fortnight despite it not being 'safe'.

Boris Johnson was warned by his own Tory MPs today that prolonging the UK's coronavirus lockdown could result in a 'tidal wave of human misery'.

The Mayor of London said he was 'really worried' about the impact any easing of restrictions would have on public transport in the capital (pictured).

The deputy chief medical officer for England, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam ,said there remained 'challenges' to be overcome before the ticklist could be completed.

In the UK there are two main contenders in the vaccine race: a team at the University of Oxford, and another at Imperial College London.

EU disease control chief Andrea Ammon said the UK was one of five European countries along with Poland, Romania, Sweden and Bulgaria which have yet to see a downward trend in cases.

London markets rebounded this morning and opened up by 1.6 per cent after US stocks staged a late rally and European countries start to ease coronavirus restrictions.

Nicola Sturgeon has again jumped the gun on Westminster by revealing Scotland's provisional 'exit strategy' from the coronavirus lockdown.

A ban on exercising more than once a day outside could be one of the first lockdown measures lifted by Boris Johnson, with golf courses, tennis clubs and fishing lakes allowed to reopen next month.

A delivery from My 1st Years - which describes itself as 'the number one personalised baby brand in the world' - arrived at 10 Downing Street in central London this morning.

Former Brexit secretary David Davis spoke out as Professor Neil Ferguson was removed from all advisory positions after allowing his lover to visit him at his London home during the lockdown.

Professor Neil Ferguson, 51, of Imperial College London, forecast grim coronavirus death tolls in the UK and US if their governments remained squeamish about social distancing.

Bond aficionados will know that early in each story comes an inaugural meeting between hero and foe. A chance encounter over highballs, perhaps, or a high-stakes hand of chemin de fer.

Gyms in the UK are unlikely to reopen until at least the autumn with October being touted as a realistic return date for fitness fanatics, according to reports.

Boris Johnson today announced he is hoping to begin easing the UK's coronavirus lockdown on Monday as Matt Hancock suggested cafes could reopen if they have outdoor areas.

Don Sheppard who lives with his wife of more than 50 years, Sandra, in Laindon, Essex, says he was nearly overwhelmed with the stunning birthday tributes which took place on Monday.

The world's media has lined up to savage Britain's coronavirus response this week after the UK's death toll surpassed Italy's to become the worst in Europe.

EXCLUSIVE: Research for MailOnline shows 62 per cent are more worried about the effects of the draconian curbs ending too early, while 38 per cent say their main concern is the economic havoc now.

Boris Johnson's Downing Street Twitter account has started pumping out the more nuanced message as the Prime Minister said some draconian rules he imposed on March 23 will be lifted.

Dominic Raab tonight announced there is 'no change' yet to the UK's coronavirus lockdown rules as he urged Britons not to take advantage of sunny bank holiday weather.

In an article saluting veterans on the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Keir Starmer said the care sector needs attention after the pandemic to help those who 'protected our country in its darkest hour'.

The Prime Minister told the cabinet he will proceed with 'maximum caution' when it comes to easing restrictions, to avoid another rise in coronavirus cases in the UK.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Stanley Johnson admitted he prayed for his son's life when the Prime Minister was in intensive care after struggling with coronavirus.

Commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the Second World War ending in Europe are taking place across the country in line with 'social distancing' guidelines.

Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, said the first results of clinical trials - testing drugs like hydroxychloroquine -are expected in 'five to seven weeks'.

Professor Robert Dingwall said Britain had 'completely lost sight' of the true nature of the disease because 'mostly it isn't' killing people.

Guidance slipped out earlier this week states that domestic helpers 'can continue work' in people's homes, 'providing that you are well and have no symptoms'.

DR JOHN LEE: The survival of the British economy, the very future of our society and the hopes of generations to come will depend upon Boris Johnson's words.

The Government is relying on the 'R' figure - the average number of people a coronavirus patient infects - to tell them when it is safe to unlock the UK. But experts have said the measure it is 'too crude'.

Experts have slammed a 'misconception' that one single scientist was the 'architect of the lockdown' and single-handedly convinced the government to introduce drastic social distancing measures.

The actress, 78, made the shocking comments in a rant on Channel 4 comedy chat show The Last Leg on Friday night.

Boris Johnson's plan to ease the UK's coronavirus lockdown will see people urged to cycle to work, firms told to provide staff with face masks and garden centres allowed to reopen from Wednesday.

The Mayor of London has come under heavy fire for failing to increase capacity on the Tube ahead of an expected rise in passengers as the Prime Minister looks to ease people back to work.

GARY NEVILLE: On Monday night, Sir Alex Ferguson would have celebrated with his title-winning team and enjoyed the evening. But on Tuesday night, he'd have been watching Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Europe and he will have thought: 'Right, that's where we're going.'

For four years we have been treated to something special. It was as though their football was from another planet. But I sat in the Nou Camp and watched Bayern Munich complete a staggering 7-0 aggregate victory over Barcelona.

An exclusive insight into the greatest manager Britain has ever had from the man who spent his whole career at Manchester United and knows him best.

When I went to Paris last week to interview David Beckham as he announced his retirement from football, there was much to talk about and memories such as that one. But what resonated with me was that when I asked him how he would like to be remembered, he replied: ‘As a hard-working footballer.’

It is always a sign of a classic team that you can name the full line-up without pausing for thought. I am still able to automatically reel off Jose Mourinho’s great Chelsea team of 2005.

David Moyes's job is to change the perception surrounding him and the club at present. The only way to do that is on the pitch when the noise stops, the opinions stop and whatever people are saying doesn't matter any more. Saturday was the first step.

Monday night may be an occasion we will look back on in 15 years and pinpoint as the start of a manager establishing his presence on the next era of English football.

It would have been Bill Shankly’s 100th birthday tomorrow. Quite rightly the occasion is being marked at today’s game between Liverpool and Manchester United.

Everyone who is supportive of the England national team will have grave concerns over the dwindling numbers of Premier League players that are British.

For a long period of my career, I was lucky enough to play behind David Beckham. It was a privilege because he was such a quality player.

Pep Guardiola has no shame or embarrassment that he wanted his team to be hard working, to sprint to the ball to hunt in packs. But if an English coach was seen pumping his fists, waving his arms and screaming: ‘Squeeze them in!’ he would be in danger of being portrayed as a dinosaur.

When you look at how many England players have benefited from the loan system, you have to say it will be crucial for developing our young players in future.

Andre Villas-Boas ruffled a few feathers by complaining about a ‘difficult atmosphere with no support’ at White Hart Lane after Tottenham’s narrow 1-0 win against Hull last Sunday.

There are matches that stand out in my career which some people might find strange. They’re not the big matches, like Champions League finals. They are games like a 1-0 win against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium in January 2009.