Alesha Dixon forced to judge Walk The Line from home after Covid scare – and admits she’s wearing slippers

ALESHA Dixon was absent from the Walk The Line studio tonight as close contact with a Covid case meant she had to judge from home.

The ITV star waved to the panel - Craig David, Gary Barlow and Dawn French - from a video link from home.

Host Maya Jama explained that "Alesha has to stay at home today because she's come into close contact with a Covid case."

Joking with Alesha, she asked: "What have you got on your feet?" and a sheepish Alesha was forced to admit "slippers!"

"I knew she wouldn't waste time on the heels!" shouted Maya - before the show started with a new act, Deco, who will try to topple reigning champion Ella Rothwell.

Sadly, Alesha didn't rate the band's vocals, but co-judge Craig David told them not to worry - because he enjoyed their performance.

Alesha's Covid scare comes as charts have revealed how Omicron is spreading across the UK after a further 4,671 cases of the variant were reported today.

That's up 90 per cent on Tuesday's 633 - with the UK's infection rate now being as high as it was at the start of the pandemic.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency today told MPs that the Omicron variant is the biggest threat since the start of the pandemic.

She warned of a of a "staggering" number of cases in the next few days compared with what has gone before.

However, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the figure was higher partly because the definition of an Omicron case had changed, and some cases from Tuesday had been added onto today's total.

The total Omicron cases in the UK stands at 10,017.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference this evening Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the 'wave of Omicron is rolling across the United Kingdom'.

He urged people to come forward for their booster jabs and the The Sun is also urging people to sign up for the Jabs Army campaign to help ensure the rollout goes smoothly and so that we can Give Britain a Booster.

A record 78,610 cases of coronavirus were recorded today in the UK, exceeding the previous high of 68,053 which was recorded on 8th January 2021