In a clip posted to Twitter and his very own Matt Hancock app, he can be seen jumping on and off a wall, decked out in his gym kit and trainers.

He then chats with Sebastien Foucan, the Parkour UK President about how much fun it was.

Mr Hancock said: “I’ve seen it on YouTube and it’s amazing – but you never think you can get involved because I can’t do those sorts of flips.

“But it’s great fun and good expertise and you learn about your body and the environment you live in.”

Parkour – otherwise known as free running – involves the climbing and jumping around buildings and other outdoor terrain.

The exhilarating activity was born in France in the 1980s but has taken off in Britain, where it became the first country in the world to recognise it as a sport.

But people were quick to make fun of Mr Hancock today for trying out some of the daring moves.

Social media users posted videos of others trying out the sport to mock him, and one replied with an amusing clip of a dinosaur hopping over hurdles.

The Culture Secretary tweeted later on today: “Loving the level of interest in my ParkourUK debut this morning. Taking it one step at a time. All welcome next time we’re out and about. Everyone can join in – it’s great fun.”

But some members of the public had some serious comments to make about his choice of recreational activity during work hours.

One said on Twitter: “Great jumping – now could you do something about the state of our public library service?”

Another added: “Don’t we pay you to work? Is there nothing political happening at the moment?”