Actress Donna Air has revealed she has tested positive for coronavirus and says she has donated tests to NHS workers.

The 40-year-old posted details of her COVID-19 diagnosis on social media, saying she started suffering “mild flu-like symptoms” almost three weeks ago, but that these quickly improved.

Now starring in divorce drama The Split, Air is best known for her role in Byker Grove alongside Ant and Dec in the 1990s, after which she went on to present on MTV and the Big Breakfast.

She was in a relationship with the Duchess of Cambridge’s brother, James Middleton, for several years until their break-up in 2018.

She is one of a number of stars to test positive for coronavirus, including Hollywood actors Tom Hanks and Idris Elba.

In a message on Instagram, she said: “I hope everyone is managing to stay strong and in relatively good spirits during the lockdown.

“I just wanted to let you know [I] developed mild flu like symptoms and started self isolating 18 days ago, I took a test for some clarity & the results tested positive for Covid19.

“Thankfully symptoms improved shortly after and my loved ones are not displaying any signs of the virus. I will continue to follow government guidelines & in the meantime I am sending masses of love to you all ❤️ especially those on the front line.”

Aware of “what a privilege it is to be able access tests privately”, Air said she had also donated some to friends who are health workers.

:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

The government is under growing pressure to hugely expand its testing programme, especially for NHS workers.

Thousands of people have died around the world after testing positive for coronavirus.

The disease has made its way into the worlds of sport, film, politics and royalty, with Prince Charles and Boris Johnson also among the confirmed cases in the UK.