Boris Johnson does his best to stop Dilyn going after ducks during early morning on ‘Happy Monday’

Down boy! Boris Johnson does his best to stop Dilyn going after ducks during early morning run as lockdown restrictions are eased on Happy Monday

  • Boris Johnson was seen running through a park in London earlier this morning
  • Dog Dilyn pictured attempting to chase ducks while the Prime Minister jogged
  • Mr Johnson has been on a fitness drive since his serious Covid battle last year
  • He was seen jogging as some lockdown restrictions were eased in England today

Boris Johnson may be ahead in the opinion polls, but he was forced to maintain a very different type of lead this morning.

The Prime Minister, 56, was seen keeping his dog Dilyn close by during a run in London earlier today.

The excitable Jack Russell cross was pictured chasing after ducks as the Conservative leader worked-up a sweat in one of the capital’s parks.

Mr Johnson, who has been on a fitness drive since his intensive care Covid battle last year, recently announced he has lost a stone from running and ditching cheese ‘late night cheese’.

He was pictured running as lockdown measures were eased in England today – on what is being dubbed ‘Happy Monday’.

From today, up six people, or two full households, are allowed to meet outside, including in back gardens, for the first time in four months. 

The Prime Minister was seen keeping his dog Dilyn on a tight lead during a run in London earlier today

The excitable Jack Russell was pictured going after ducks as the Conservative leader worked up a sweat in one of the capital's parks

The excitable Jack Russell was pictured going after ducks as the Conservative leader worked up a sweat in one of the capital’s parks

The Government’s ‘stay at home’ rule has been replaced with ‘stay local’ while its new mantra is now: ‘Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air’. 

Speaking about the easing of restrictions in a video address, Mr Johnson wished the country ‘the very best of luck’.

He said he knows ‘how hard it has been to be separated from your teammates and your coaches and the sports that you love’. 

However people are still being urged not to hug their friends and family despite half the population having their first jab and Covid cases at the lowest levels since last summer. 

As restrictions were lifted earlier today, cycling clubs in the Peak District were seen out at midnight, while swimmers were seen doing lengths before dawn. 

Golf courses were also getting busy at 6am, with queues for the range snaking around car parks across the country. 

In further good news, the country is now set for a three-day spring heatwave with temperatures hitting 70F (21C) this afternoon and 76F (24C) tomorrow and Wednesday. 

The Rule of Six comes into force today - so early morning wild swimmers take a moment to all hold hands at Seaburn beach in Sunderland at sunrise this morning

The Rule of Six comes into force today – so early morning wild swimmers take a moment to all hold hands at Seaburn beach in Sunderland at sunrise this morning

Commuters at a very busy Canning Town Underground Station on the Jubilee Line in London today as the 'Stay at Home' warning was dropped

Commuters at a very busy Canning Town Underground Station on the Jubilee Line in London today as the ‘Stay at Home’ warning was dropped

It marks the first major relaxation of the rules since England’s harsh third lockdown came into force in January. 

The only other easing of regulations was on March 8 when all pupils and students returned to schools and colleges across England.

With Britain today passing the 30 million-mark for number of vaccines given – and with cases plummeting by a third in just one week – the Government is under increasing pressure to speed up the easing of lockdown rules.

TV doctor Hilary Jones will head the Government’s ‘Let’s Take This Next Step Safely’ campaign which will run across television and radio from tonight. 

It will encourage people to remember a new ‘Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air’ message and resist the temptation to hug those who are not in the same household or bubble.