LBC political editor Theo Usherwood is said to be recovering well from pneumonia and a suspected case of coronavirus.

A statement from the journalist's family released last week revealed that he had been admitted to hospital after showing symptoms of the deadly disease, which has claimed more than 15,000 lives worldwide to date.

Prior to the announcement Usherwood - a regular contributor across all of LBC's programming - had been absent from the airwaves for several weeks.

LBC host Iain Dale wrote on Twitter: "Delighted to tell you that I've just come off the phone to @theousherwood. He's on the road to recovery and wants to thank everyone who's sent him their good wishes over the last few days. It really has meant the world to him to know how many people have been thinking of him."

Usherwood later posted: "Hoping to be allowed home today. Just a short note to say thank you for all the love. I felt it so strongly during the darkness last week. I so desperately want the wonderful NHS staff who saved my life, to save the lives of thousands of others too. Please stay at home."

Several of the radio station's regular hosts have taken to broadcasting their shows from home in the wake of recent government guidelines on social distancing.