Comedian Will Hislop goes viral for NHS clap for carers parody

Will Hislop engaged in a pretend argument with his neighbour, ‘Karen’, over whether one of them had broken lockdown rules

An actor and comedian has gone viral after sharing his parody of "your aunt" during the weekly clap for NHS and health workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Will Hislop, who is the son of journalist, broadcaster and Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, drew attention to the misgivings many have about the round of applause given for health workers each Thursday since the UK-wide lockdown began.

Soundtracked by noise of the applause, Hislop in character at first points out neighbours who have failed to turn out for the clap: "Number 11? Not surprising. Doesn't wear a poppy either."

The character then engages in an argument with another neighbour, "Karen", about going for an "essential" trip outside to get a smoothie.

"So you were exercising yesterday were you, Karen? Both times in jeans? I'm calling the police. Get a f***ing lawyer," Hislop says in the skit, which has received more than 30,000 retweets and 130,000 likes.

While the government has actively encouraged the #clapforcarers each week, many have criticised the event at a time when health workers are still in dire need of protective gear as they work on the frontline of the Covid-19 battle.

Others have pointed out that the event can encourage public shaming of those who are unable or choose not to participate in the clap.

In April, a woman claimed she was shamed on her community Facebook group after being too tired from a "rough night" with her son to take part one week.

“I was mortified. The post said everyone else turned out and I showed the street up and if I can't spend a minute showing my appreciation I don't deserve to use the NHS if I or my family get ill.

“I ignored it at the time but I can't get it out of my head it's really upset me.”

Royle Family star Ralf Little previously mocked the more overzealous members of the public for “competing” with one another during the clap.

The Bury-born actor shared a comedy clip of himself playing two neighbours trying to one-up each other by attempting to make more noise.

“There’s always someone smug and competitive who takes it too far...” he wrote alongside his video, which was shared to Twitter.

“I fully appreciate and support someone launching a cannon filled with fireworks (and or confetti) in support of #ourNHS,” he joked. “Just... be nice about it.”