Gavin and Stacey returning to primetime BBC on Saturday nights to cheer people up doing coronavirus lockdown

GAVIN And Stacey will return to primetime BBC to help the British public "raise a smile" amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The BBC confirmed that from 4 April Saturday evenings will see a comedy takeover with old episodes of James Corden's iconic comedy as well as family sitcom Outnumbered.

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Episodes of Peter Kay's Car Share will also screen on Friday nights while the public broadcaster has also promised to deliver new comedy shows on BBC Two.

"The BBC is determined to do all it can to raise a smile and keep the country entertained during these testing times," BBC director-general Tony Hall said.

"We have lots of great shows already recorded, but we have also found ways to keep many other shows going so that the familiar faces people love will still be in their living rooms in the weeks and months ahead. I think that is incredibly important.

"The BBC will also deliver a range of virtual events to replace some of those that have now had to be cancelled."

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He continued: "We can all still have a Eurovision moment, even if it is different from the past.

"Our pledge is offer the best escapism, fun and distraction we can, alongside the news and information everyone needs."

The current worldwide pandemic has seen international events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest and June's Glastonbury Festival - a 50th anniversary special - all be cancelled.

TV and film productions have all been forced to shut down while networks including BBC and ITV have been pushed to find new and innovative ways of offering new content.

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In the UK, 88 more people have died in the UK, taking the death toll up to 422.

This comes after the UK woke up to a lockdown this morning - after Boris Johnson declared a "moment of national emergency".

People will only be allowed to leave their home for essential supplies, one form of daily exercise or a walk, medical care or "absolutely necessary" work.

Anyone caught flouting the measures faces a fine of between £30 and £1,000 from Thursday, when a bill containing the new legislation to deal with coronavirus is expected to become law.