Captain Sir Tom Moore admitted to hospital after testing positive for Covid

He has suffered with pneumonia over the 'past few weeks', his daughter Hannah revealed in a statement, and was taken to Bedford Hospital in Bedfordshire today after requiring 'help with his breathing'.

The 100-year-old, who is not in intensive care, first tested positive for coronavirus last week.

The statement, posted on Twitter, said: “I wanted to update everybody that today (Sunday 31 January) my father was admitted to hospital.

“Over the last few weeks he was being treated for pneumonia and last week tested positive for Covid-19.

“He was at home with us until today when he needed additional help with his breathing. He is being treated in a ward although he is not in ICU.

“The medical care he has received in the last few weeks has been remarkable and we know that the wonderful staff at Bedford Hospital will do all they can to make him comfortable and hopefully return home as soon as possible.

“We understand that everyone will be wishing him well. We are of course focussing on my father and will update you when we are able to.”

Captain Tom made headlines around the world when he decided to walk 100 lengths of his garden before his 100th birthday last year, raising more than £32m for NHS Charities Together.

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