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'{{Short description|British celebrity doctor and television presenter}} {{EngvarB|date=March 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Christian Jessen | image = Christian Jessen at the BAFTA's (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = Christian Jessen at the [[British Academy Television Awards 2009]] | birth_name = Christian Spencer Jessen | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1977|3|4}} | birth_place = [[London]], England | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} --> | death_place = | body_discovered = | death_cause = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | nationality = British | partner = Rogerio Barreto | television = {{plainlist| * ''[[Embarrassing Bodies]]'' *''[[Doctor, Doctor (Five TV series)|Doctor Doctor]]'' *''[[Supersize vs Superskinny]]'' }} | education = {{hlist|[[MBBS]]|MSc}} | alma_mater = [[Uppingham School]]<br />[[University College London]]<br />[[London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine]] | occupation = {{hlist|Physician|television personality|writer}} | footnotes = }} '''Christian Spencer Jessen''' (born 4 March 1977) is a British [[celebrity doctor]], television personality, and writer. He is best known for appearing in the [[Channel 4]] programmes ''[[Embarrassing Bodies]]'' (2007–2015) and ''[[Supersize vs Superskinny]]'' (2008–2014). ==Education== Jessen was educated at [[Uppingham School]], a co-educational independent school situated in the small [[market town]] of [[Uppingham]] in [[Rutland]], followed by [[University College London]] and the [[London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine]], both constituent colleges of the [[University of London]] in [[Central London]], where he received his [[MBBS]] degrees in 2001.<ref name="GMC">{{cite web |title=General Medical Council: Doctor Record: Christian Spencer JESSEN|url=https://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/6028241 |website=GMC Medical Register |publisher=General Medical Council |access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> ==Career== Jessen studied medicine as an undergraduate at [[University College London]], graduating in 2001.<ref name="GMC" /> He holds a MSc degree in [[sexual health]], and has a particular interest in HIV and [[malaria]], which were the focus of his work in [[Kenya]] and [[Uganda]].<ref name="biography">{{cite web|url=http://drchristianjessen.com/biography.htm |title=Dr Christian Jessen (biography) |access-date=29 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731063941/http://www.drchristianjessen.com/biography.htm |archive-date=31 July 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> An advocate for HIV education and testing, in 2015, he was named National HIV Testing Week Ambassador.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/8546|title=Dr Christian Jessen and Mayor of Lambeth promote HIV Testing Week|website=London-SE1|date=23 November 2015|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> ===Television=== From 2007 to 2015, Jessen co-presented ''[[Embarrassing Bodies]]'' alongside [[Pixie McKenna]] and [[Dawn Harper (doctor)|Dawn Harper]]. The show has had a number of spin-off series including ''Embarrassing Teenage Bodies'', ''Embarrassing Bodies: Kids'' and ''Embarrassing Fat Bodies''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/about/doctors/dr-jessen/ |title=Channel 4, Embarrassing Bodies, Health, Dr Jessen, Advice, Doctor, Profile, from channel4.com/bodies |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502020208/http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/about/doctors/dr-jessen/ |archive-date=2 May 2008 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Another spin off was set in Australia in 2013 called ''[[Embarrassing Bodies Down Under]]'', which Jessen co-hosted with [[Brad McKay (doctor)|Brad McKay]], [[Ginni Mansberg]], and Sam Hay.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/embarrassing-bodies-down-under-recap-are-aussies-really-as-unhealthy-as-the-brits-20131029-2wdkc.html Embarrassing Bodies Down Under recap: Are Aussies really as unhealthy as the Brits? – ''Sydney Morning Herald'' – published 29 October 2013]</ref> He presented [[Channel 4]]'s ''[[Supersize vs Superskinny]]'' series from 2008 until 2014. In 2012, Jessen appeared as the health and fitness expert in ''[[Hotel GB]]''. He was the winner of popular culinary show ''[[Ready Steady Cook]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dzh2t|title=Episode 20, Series 19, Ready Steady Cook – BBC Two|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> and has appeared as a celebrity contestant on ''[[The Weakest Link]]''.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} He was also the winner of the BBC show ''Antiques Master''.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} He was [[Jack Osbourne]]'s doctor during the filming of ''Finding God'', and also featured in ''Harley Street'', a documentary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/health/londons-hottest-doctor-on-sexual-health-size-zero-and-david-cameron-6749070.html|title=London's hottest doctor on sexual health, size zero and David Cameron|date=5 May 2009|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> Other television appearances include ''Sex in Court'' and ''[[The Wright Stuff]]''.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} In 2012 and 2014, he co-presented the ''[[Stand Up to Cancer]]'' telethon alongside [[Davina McCall]] and [[Alan Carr]]. In 2014, he produced and starred in a documentary series for television called ''Undercover Doctor: Cure Me I’m Gay''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4s-dr-christian-asks-cure-me-im-gay|title=Channel 4's Dr Christian asks: Cure me, I'm Gay|publisher=Channel 4|date=3 February 2014|access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref> In the series, Jessen investigates therapies purported to be [[ex-gay|"cures" for homosexuality]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Rhiannon Lucy|last=Cosslett|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/21/dr-christian-jessen-interview|title=Dr Christian Jessen: 'The public's thirst for gory medical things is insatiable'|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London, England|date=21 March 2014|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> In an appearance on ''[[Loose Women]]'', Jessen performed a live HIV test on a woman and drew criticism for not wearing protective gloves. Jessen defended his actions and called for more understanding on how HIV spreads.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Ashley |last=Percival|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/11/30/loose-women-doctor-christian-hiv-test-no-gloves-coleen-nolan-saira-khan_n_8682336.html|title=Dr Christian Explains Why He Didn't Wear Gloves For 'Loose Women' HIV Test|work=[[HuffPost]]|location=New York City|date=30 November 2015|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> In 2018, he co-starred and produced a documentary series for television called ''Dr Christian: 12 hours to cure your Street'', in which he travelled across the UK in a mobile clinic to treat individuals in their hometowns. Visiting a range of areas, Jessen attempted to do as many house calls and appointments as he could within a 12-hour shift. His co-star was Sara Katyat.<ref>Cite web| url=https://w.uktv.co.uk/shows/dr-christian-12-hours-cure-your-street/|title=Dr{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Christian: 12 Hours to cure your Street|publisher=UKTV|date=2018</ref> ===Writing=== He is the author of ''Dr Christian's Guide to Growing Up'' (2013), a book aimed at children and adolescents dealing with question about puberty and sexuality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18045214-dr-christian-s-guide-to-growing-up|title=Dr Christian's Guide To Growing Up|website=Goodreads|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.drchristianjessen.com/growing_up.html|title=Welcome to the Official website of Dr Christian Jessen|publisher=drchristianjessen.com|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> He has also written the books ''Can I Just Ask?'' (2010), ''Dr Christian's Guide to Dealing with the Tricky Stuff'' (2015) and ''Dr Christian's Guide to You'' (2016).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1gUii3OQGjsC|title=Can I Just Ask?: The 250+ Curious Questions that Off-Duty Doctors Are Most Often Asked|last=Jessen|first=Christian|date=1 November 2010|publisher=Hay House, Inc|isbn=9781848504233|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q3rBgAAQBAJ|title=Dr Christian's Guide to Dealing with the Tricky Stuff|last=Jessen|first=Christian|date=1 January 2015|publisher=Scholastic UK|isbn=9781407153926|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xFniCwAAQBAJ|title=Dr Christian's Guide to You|last=Jessen|first=Dr Christian|date=5 May 2016|publisher=Scholastic UK|isbn=9781407165455|language=en}}</ref> ==Controversies== ===Panorama Investigation=== In August 2018, a BBC ''[[Panorama (British TV programme)|Panorama]]'' documentary investigation revealed Jessen's involvement in a private online pharmacy, UK Meds. Such sites are believed to allow people to purchase potentially dangerous prescriptions with ease and cannot be regulated by the [[Care Quality Commission]] due to a loophole allowing them to issue prescriptions via third party doctors in [[Romania]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirkland |first1=Faye |title=Safety concerns over websites selling prescription drugs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-45084555 |access-date=18 August 2018 |work=BBC News |date=6 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Grace |title=GPhC looking into concerns about online pharmacy featured on Panorama |url=https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/gphc-looking-concerns-about-online-pharmacy-bbc-programme |access-date=18 August 2018 |work=[[Chemist + Druggist]] |date=7 August 2018}}</ref> The owner of the pharmacy, Mason Soiza, has previously faced accusations of running [[Escort agency|escort agencies]] and [[WordPress]] plugin scams.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kenber |first1=Billy |title=Web entrepreneur faces inquiry over online sale of painkillers |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/web-tycoon-mason-soiza-24-faces-inquiry-over-online-sale-of-painkillers-3jhjzd5kz |access-date=18 August 2018 |work=[[The Times]] |date=28 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Moen |first1=Dan |title=Known WordPress Threat Actor Under Investigation For Prescription-Free Online Pharmacy |url=https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2018/08/known-wordpress-threat-actor-under-investigation-for-prescription-free-online-pharmacy/ |access-date=18 August 2018 |work=Wordfence |date=8 August 2018}}</ref> ===Drug Use=== In 2015 it was reported that Jessen had invited strangers to his flat for a “drug fuelled romp”.[https://www.kiis1065.com.au/entertainment/embarrassing-bodies-doc-embroiled-in-drugs-sex-scandal/] ===COVID Pandemic=== During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Jessen sparked criticism for comments, saying that Italian COVID-19 countermeasures were an "excuse for a long siesta". He also commented on the severity of the pandemic, regarding it only as a case of bad cold and scaremongering by the media.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/coronavirus-dr-christian-jessen-italy-outbreak-embarrassing-bodies-siesta-a9399071.html#Echobox=1584094956|title=Coronavirus: Dr Christian Jessen says Italians are using pandemic as an excuse for 'long siesta'|work=Independent|date=13 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref> ===Arlene Foster=== In 2020, the First Minister of Northern Ireland [[Arlene Foster]] launched legal action against Jessen for [[defamation]] over a tweet in December 2019 that falsely claimed she had been having an extra-marital affair.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-56845243|title=Arlene Foster: Dr Jessen 'honestly believed' extra-marital affair claim|work=BBC News|date=23 April 2021|access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref> The tweet was not deleted until two weeks after it was posted. In court, Foster alleged that the tweet was posted at a time when some anonymous Twitter accounts were claiming she was having an affair with one of her security guards. It was further alleged that Jessen had been contacted 13 times by email and letter about it but had not answered.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-56747947|title=Arlene Foster: DUP leader sues Christian Jessen for defamation|work=BBC News|date=14 April 2021|access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref> In May 2021, Mr Justice McAlinden awarded Foster £125,000 in damages and full costs after Jessen lost the case, describing his conduct as "an outrageously bad libel". The judge added that Jessen's failure to apologise for or to retract the libel were aggravating features.<ref>{{cite news |title=TV presenter ordered to pay £125,000 damages to Arlene Foster |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2021/0527/1224224-arlene-foster/ |access-date=27 May 2021 |publisher=RTÉ |date=27 May 2021}}</ref> ==Personal life== Jessen is gay and his partner, Rogério Barreto, is Brazilian.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ditchthelabel.org/doctor-christian-jessen-on-ditch-the-label-org/|title=Dr Christian Jessen on Being a Gay Doctor|work=Ditch the Label|date=17 October 2012|access-date=9 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sundaymercury.net/entertainment-news/tv-news/2009/05/10/dr-christian-jessen-reveals-what-shocks-him-66331-23580936/|title=Dr Christian Jessen reveals what shocks him|work=Sunday Mercury|first=Roz|last=Laws|date=10 May 2009|access-date=31 May 2009}}</ref> His father is from Germany.<ref>''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]], s15 e6</ref> He is an [[atheist]], a [[humanism|humanist]], and a patron of [[Humanists UK]], a charity that advocates for [[secularism]], equalities, and human rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://humanism.org.uk/about/our-people/distinguished-supporters/dr-christian-jessen/|work=British Humanist Association|access-date=14 October 2014|title=Dr Christian Jessen}}</ref> He has stated that he has [[muscle dysmorphia]].<ref>https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/health/i-weigh-14-stone-but-in-my-head-i-m-a-7-stone-weakling-6712069.html "I weigh 14 stone but in my head, I'm a 7 stone weakling"</ref> He endorsed [[Boris Johnson]] during the [[2019 Conservative Party (UK) leadership election|2019 Conservative Party leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Rebecca |title=Dr Christian Jessen throws support behind Tory leadership candidate Boris Johnson |url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/06/22/dr-christian-jessen-throws-support-behind-tory-leadership-candidate-boris-johnson-10028962/ |access-date=22 June 2019 |work=Metro |date=22 June 2019}}</ref> ==Filmography== ;Television {| class = "wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class = "unsortable" | Notes |- | 2007–2015 || ''[[Embarrassing Bodies]]'' || Presenter || Formerly ''Embarrassing Illnesses'' |- | rowspan=2|2007 || ''[[Doctor, Doctor (Five TV series)|Doctor, Doctor]]'' || Himself || 1 episode |- | ''[[Sex in Court]]'' || Judge || |- | 2008–2009 || ''Embarrassing Teenage Bodies'' ||rowspan=2| Presenter || ''[[Embarrassing Bodies]]'' spin-off |- | 2008–2014 || ''[[Supersize vs Superskinny]]'' || |- | 2009, 2010 || ''[[Angela and Friends]]'' || Himself || 17 episodes, weekly "Health and Medicine" segment |- | 2010–2011 || ''Embarrassing Bodies: Kids'' || Presenter || ''[[Embarrassing Bodies]]'' spin-off |- | rowspan=2|2010 || ''One Born at Christmas'' || Doctor || 6-part ''[[One Born Every Minute]]'' spin-off |- | ''The Ugly Face of Beauty'' ||rowspan=2| Presenter || |- | rowspan=4|2011 || ''Supersize vs Superskinny Kids'' || ''[[Supersize vs Superskinny]]'' spin-off |- | ''Stephen Fry's 100 Greatest Gadgets'' ||rowspan=3| Himself || TV documentary |- | ''[[Mongrels (TV series)|Mongrels]]'' || One episode |- | ''A Night with the Stars'' || TV documentary |- | 2011–2012|| ''Embarrassing Fat Bodies'' || Presenter || ''[[Embarrassing Bodies]]'' spin-off |- | 2012 || ''[[Hotel GB]]'' || Health and fitness expert || |- | 2012, 2014 || ''[[Stand Up To Cancer]]'' ||rowspan=2| Presenter || Live charity telethon |- | 2012 || ''[[Drugs Live]]: The Ecstasy Trial'' || Two part live documentary |- | 2013, 2014 || ''Embarrassing Bodies Down Under'' || Himself || ''[[Embarrassing Bodies]]'' spin-off |- | 2014 || ''Undercover Doctor: Cure Me I'm Gay'' ||rowspan=2| Presenter ||<ref>[http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/INTERVIEW-Dr-Christian---Cure-Me-I%27m-Gay/7756103]</ref> |- | 2017–present || ''Doctor Christian Will See You Now'' || |- | 2018–present || ''Dr Christian: 12 Hours to Cure your Street'' || Presenter, Doctor || Running a mobile clinic treating real people in their own homes around the UK |- |} ;Guest appearances {{div col|colwidth=30em}} *''[[8 Out of 10 Cats]]'' (2010, 2011, 2014) *''[[The Alan Titchmarsh Show]]'' (2010, 2011) *''[[Would I Lie to You? (TV series)|Would I Lie to You?]]'' (2012) *''[[Celebrity Juice]]'' (2012, 2013, 2015) *''[[Sunday Brunch]]'' (2012, 2013, 2014) *''[[Alan Carr: Chatty Man]]'' (2012, 2014) *''[[Alan Carr's Specstacular|Alan Carr's Summertime Specstacular]]'' (2012) *''[[The Million Pound Drop]]'' (2012) *''[[The Sarah Millican Television Programme]]'' (2013) *''[[Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel]]'' (2013) *''[[Fifteen to One|Celebrity Fifteen to One]]'' (2014) *''[[Weekend (TV programme)|Weekend]]'' (2014) *''[[Sweat the Small Stuff]]'' (2014) *''[[Mel & Sue (TV series)|Mel & Sue]]'' (2015) *''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]]'' (2015) *''[[The Saturday Show (Channel 5 TV series)|The Saturday Show]]'' (2015) *''[[The Chase (UK game show)|The Chase: Celebrity Special]]'' (2015) {{div col end}} == References == {{Portal|United Kingdom|Medicine|LGBT|Religion}} {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.drchristianjessen.com Official website] {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Jessen, Christian}} [[Category:1977 births]] [[Category:21st-century British medical doctors]] [[Category:Alumni of University College London]] [[Category:Alumni of the UCL Medical School]] [[Category:Channel 4 people]] [[Category:British people of German descent]] [[Category:British television personalities]] [[Category:British television presenters]] [[Category:Gay men]] [[Category:LGBT broadcasters from the United Kingdom]] [[Category:LGBT people from England]] [[Category:LGBT physicians]] [[Category:English atheists]] [[Category:English humanists]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People educated at Uppingham School]] [[Category:People from Hammersmith]] [[Category:21st-century LGBT people]]'