The BBC has been accused of being ‘insensitive’ after airing a clip of a group of cyclists enjoying their fresh air and exercise just moments after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the United Kingdom is now in lockdown due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

The clip – which seems fairly harmless in any other context – aired at around 9pm yesterday, just after a BBC News special that accompanied the Prime Minister’s announcement.

In the moments before MasterChef started on BBC One, viewers were treated to a lovely, wholesome shot of a gang of cyclists enjoying themselves on tandem bicycles.

Obviously, our days of tandem bicycle rides are over for the time being, at least.

In fact, during the ministerial address, it was revealed that the police will have the power to fine people for gathering in groups more than two people in order to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Now, in normal times, people might not have been quite so bothered by this, but times are difficult for everyone and we’re all – quite understandably – a little bit tightly-wound, just now.

With that in mind, people have been venting their fury on Twitter, accusing the national broadcaster of ‘taking the p***’ by showing the cyclists enjoying the outdoors close to each other when we’re all stuck inside and maintaining a safe social distance.

It’s worth pointing out that the rules about staying in and maintaining social distance if you absolutely must venture out are totally reasonable, and should be followed.

That’s the only way that we’ll all get to cycle about together on tandem bikes again, as we all used to enjoy so much…

One person wrote: “Are the BBC taking the p***? First continuity spot and it has a group of people on tandems close together.”

Another angry soul wrote: “It’s all very well the PM telling us to stay in and not gather in groups of more than 2 but before a new programme starts on @bbc they show groups of cyclists on tandems and mountain rescuers rubbing shoulders!”

Yes, it is frustrating, but surely we can’t all be that angry, right?

WRONG. This enraged commentator said: “BBC broadcasts Boris telling everyone to stay at home. The news finishes. Adverts roll. Then the announcement for Masterchef comes on to visuals of a group of cyclists prancing about in a park sharing bikes with each other…”

Anyway, stay inside folks, stay safe, no tandem bike rides. For a wee while, at least.