THE BBC's Victoria Derbyshire has apologised after saying she would break the rule of six to celebrate Christmas with her family.

In an interview with the Radio Times, the presenter, who lives in London - currently in tier two on England's lockdown - said her family of seven knew the risks and would be "sensible".

However, she said they would, if necessary, break the law.

“If the rule of six is still in place at Christmas, we’re breaking it to have the rule of seven," she said. "We just are. Joining me, my husband and our two boys will be my mum, her partner and my husband’s dad.

“It’s fine. We’ll do it knowing what the risks are. We’re not stupid. We’re going to be sensible and buy a thermometer gun. But we have to be together at Christmas. It feels almost irresponsible saying that, but I don’t think we’re alone in feeling that way. We need to see my elderly mum and my husband’s elderly dad. We just do.”

In two tweets on Tuesday morning, Derbyshire apologised. 

She wrote: “It was hypothetical – however I was totally wrong to say it & I’m sorry”.

The host added: "We’ll of course continue to follow whatever rules are in place on Dec 25th.”

Prof Linda Bauld, an expert in public health at the University of Edinburgh, raised concerns that other people may follow Derbyshire’s example.

“When high-profile figures say they’ll be ignoring guidance, it sends a message to everyone that different interpretations of the rules are OK. That’s problematic even if we would all have huge sympathy with the sentiment,” she said.