BORIS Johnson's father has said the Prime Minister "almost took one for the team" after being rushed into hospital as his COVID-19 symptoms worsened at the weekend.

Speaking to the BBC, Stanley Johnson, who lives on Exmoor, said his son "must rest up" after being moved out of intensive care at London's St Thomas' Hospital, where he has been a patient since Sunday.

Boris Johnson was given oxygen in ICU, but was not placed on a ventilator and his condition has since improved.

Stanley Johnson, speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, said: "He almost took one for the team and we've got to make sure we play properly now."

He spoke of his relief and said his family was "tremendously grateful" his son is now out of intensive care.

Stanley Johnson added that the development had "got the whole country to realise this is a serious matter".

He said: "It does come close to home. It's certainly made me feel cautious."