UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock accused of 'pretending to cry' on television in reaction to first coronavirus vaccines

• UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock's 'emotional' reaction to news of the world's first coronavirus jabs failed to convince many viewers.
• Hancock rubbed and closed his eyes after watching footage of one of the first people to receive the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday.
• However many viewers were unconvinced that the emotion was genuine with some pointing out the lack of any obvious tears.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock was accused of "pretending to cry" after footage of him appearing emotional in reaction to news of the world's first coronavirus vaccinations failed to convince many viewers.

Hancock was interviewed on ITV's Good Morning Britain programme on Tuesday following the news that 90-year-old British grandmother Margaret Keenan had become the first person to receive the jab, outside of clinical trials.

She was followed by 81-year-old William Shakespeare, who spoke to ITV's Good Morning Britain prior to Hancock's appearance.

Reacting to Shakespeare's comments, Hancock appeared to get emotional and rubbed and closed his eyes.

However, many viewers posted on social media that they doubted his sincerity due to the lack of any visible tears.

—TheIainDuncanSmiths (@TheIDSmiths) December 8, 2020

—James Felton (@JimMFelton) December 8, 2020

—Tom Peck (@tompeck) December 8, 2020

This is not the first time Hancock has been accused of making awkward appearances. Clips of him standing uncomfortably close to a Conservative party candidate also went viral during last year's UK general election campaign.

The UK is the first western nation to roll-out a coronavirus vaccine after the Pfizer jab was approved by regulators last week.

Following her vaccination, Keenan said on Tuesday morning that she felt "privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19."

"It's the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year."

She told Sky News that she hoped images of her vaccination would encourage others to follow in her footsteps.

"Hopefully it will help other people do as I do. [I'm] trying to do the best to get rid of the terrible thing".