Boris Becker emerges on his balcony to join nation in clapping for the NHS… as he reveals social distancing has allowed him to visit the park without being ‘bothered for autographs’
Boris Becker was spotted joining the nation in applauding NHS workers on Thursday night, as they continue to treat patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The former tennis player, 52, emerged solo on the balcony of his west London penthouse apartment promptly at 8pm to show his appreciation for healthcare staff during Clap For Our Carers, which has become a weekly event since March.
German star Boris’ show of support came hours after he shared a clip of himself revealing he was able to visit his local park for the ‘first time in years’ without being ‘bothered for an autograph’, thanks to social distancing.
Appreciation: Boris Becker was spotted joining the nation in applauding NHS workers on Thursday night, as they continue to treat patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Donning a grey hoodie and striped polo top, which he teamed with a flipped baseball cap and sunglasses, the star appeared to be in his element as he basked in the sunshine and soaring temperatures.
Speaking to the camera, he said: ‘Because of social distancing, I can walk in the park for the first time in years without anybody bothering me or coming too close for pictures and autographs and all that. Something good about it.’
The Clap For Carers campaign, which started online, has been staged because ‘during these unprecedented times they need to know we are grateful’, the organisers said.
Gratitude: The former tennis player, 52, emerged solo on the balcony of his west London penthouse apartment promptly at 8pm to show his gratitude for the nation’s key workers
For the fifth week in a row, NHS workers have been the recipients of the cheers and claps from the nation.
Earlier this month the event, organised by the Clap For Our Carers campaign, was expanded to include all key workers, such as supermarket staff, the emergency services and teachers who are continuing to work.
Meanwhile, it was recently reported that Boris is in the ‘final stages’ of divorcing his estranged wife Lilly Becker, 43, after the couple announced their split in 2018.
In May 2019, the pair reached an agreement after becoming embroiled in a family court dispute over their son Amadeus, 10.
Lilly reflected on 2018 after parting ways from her husband of nine years during an interview with Günther Jauch on Germany’s RTL.
Free: Hours earlier, he shared a clip of himself revealing he was able to visit his local park for the ‘first time in years’ without being ‘bothered for an autograph’, thanks to social distancing
She admitted the couple will never rekindle their relationship, insisting: ‘It’s really over between us.’
Lilly bluntly added: ‘2018 was the worst time of my 42 years. He so grossly disappointed me.’
Speaking on the negative effects of being in the limelight, she went on: ‘What makes it so bad is that everything is happening in public now. But I married a public man, maybe it’s part of it.’
‘Unfortunately, [a reunion wouldn’t] not work anymore. Too much has happened. I do not want to, he does not, and that’s fine. It’s really over between us.’
Boris was last thought to be dating model Layla Powell, 32, when he liked a series of her Instagram snaps in 2019.
Divorce: It was recently reported that Boris is in the ‘final stages’ of divorcing his estranged wife Lilly Becker, 43, after the couple announced their split in 2018. Pictured in February 2018