A double-decker bus has been named after a Nottingham professor for his ongoing work during the pandemic to keep people informed.
University of Nottingham professor of virology, Jonathan Ball, was surprised on Wednesday morning (May 26) with a bright orange NCT bus displaying his face on the back.
The tribute was put together by the team at BBC Radio Nottingham, who since the first lockdown in March last year, have featured Professor Ball on Sarah Julian's Breakfast show.
Every weekday morning, Professor Ball has taken listener questions to help offer clarity, advice, debunk myths and offer assurance around Covid-19.
To recognise his contribution, BBC Radio Nottingham teamed up with NCT to create the bus, which was unveiled live on air during Professor Ball's regular slot outside the BBC building in London Road.
Reacting, he said: "I am absolutely astounded, it's a great surprise.
"It's incredible the amount of work keyworkers have done, people like bus drivers are really the unsung heroes.
"It's nice knowing some people are getting reassurance from the answers I've provided, even when I haven't always had the answers."
He was accompanied by Gary Mason, NCT's Engineering Director, who is a self-confessed fan of Professor Ball, sending numerous questions in over the past year.
Professor Ball was also taken on a ride with bus driver Aaron Johnson, who has worked all the way through the pandemic and was also crowned Top National Bus Driver 2018 at the UK Bus Awards.
