Steerpike Steerpike

Watch: Wimbledon hails Oxford jab creator

BBC

A heart-warming moment at the first day of Wimbledon today. In the crowd to watch matches on centre court was Professor Sarah Gilbert who developed the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for coronavirus. Having spent much of 2020 working on finding a jab, the scientist was today enjoying a rare day out, having been appointed a Dame in the Birthday Honours earlier this month for her services to science.

The crowd may have been there to see players like Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray but there was only one star this afternoon when the Wimbledon announcer declared Gilbert was in attendance. The crowd rose to give the obviously affected scientist a standing ovation to thank her and the Oxford team for all they had done to rid the country of Covid-19.

Dame, set and match to Gilbert.


Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in