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IBMSPod Episode 13 – Comedy, Haematology and Andrology

IBMSPod Episode 13 – Comedy, Haematology and Andrology
3 November 2021
In a special edition of IBMS Pod, stand-up comic, actor, film director and former Chief Biomedical Scientist at the Royal Bolton Hospital Dave Spikey joined the show.

November's IBMS Pod featured the fascinating story of Biomedical Scientist turned famous comic & actor Dave Spikey with lots of gags and a quiz along the way! Then in LabLife, Dr Martin Khechara chats to Andrologist Sheryl Homa, who discusses the importance of this vital but often overlooked specialism. 

Comedy & Haematology with Dave Spikey

Dave is best known for his stand-up comedy tours, starring in sitcom Phoenix Nights alongside Peter Kay and Paddy McGuinness, presenting Bullseye, Chain Letters and being a team captain on 8 out of 10 Cats.

Before he moved over to comedy, Dave led a successful 30-year career in Biomedical Science – rising the ranks to become Chief Biomedical Scientist in Haematology at The Royal Bolton Hospital.

Dave recollected his journey into Biomedical Science from school pupil to trainee medical laboratory technician to senior biomedical scientist. He discussed the various roles he held and the innovations in the field he brought about.

We then challenged Dave, a former Mastermind champion, to our very own Haematology quiz - how did he fare?

In the 2nd half of the interview, he took us through his move from Biomedical Science into showbusiness! From amateur hospital pantomime performances as part of the Bolton Health Performers to a national stand-up tour, starring in iconic sitcoms and hosting television game shows. Dave also tells us a bit about his upcoming tour: 'A funny thing happened'. 

In the Quick-Fire round, Dave shared his most funny memory from his days back in the lab!

LabLife with Professor Sheryl Homa

In this special LabLife episode, IBMS Fellow and Andrologist Sheryl Homa joined Dr Martin Khechara to chat about Andrology, male reproductive health and her recent appearance on a BBC documentary with comedian Rhod Gilbert.

An extended version of this interview is also available to watch on YouTube. 

Sheryl is an HCPC registered Clinical Scientist with a special interest in male fertility. She runs the UK's only clinic dedicated to male infertility - Andrology Solutions in 2007, the first and only HFEA licensed clinic of its kind. Sheryl is also an honorary Professor in Biosciences at the University of Kent.

Andrology is the branch of Biomedical Science that focuses on testing, diagnosing, and researching conditions specific to men, especially issues relating to the male reproductive & urological system. Although vital, Andrology is often overlooked in the healthcare sector. Sheryl explained its importance in helping couples conceive, recalling a particular couple she helped to have a baby boy following 15 years of trying.

Sheryl also told Martin about her recent appearance on a BBC documentary with comedian Rhod Gilbert focused on the taboo topic of male infertility. She also provided some tips to budding andrologists on how to start a career in this field.

How to listen
Episode outline

0:30 - IBMS News

1:42 - Feature Interview with Dave Spikey

  • 2:05 - Part 1: Journey into Biomedical Science: From School Pupil to Chief Biomedical Scientist  – Daves recollects being inspired to pursue a career in Biomedical Science by his father, following an incident installing Bolton town hall's clock. Dave also discusses some of the innovations in testing he brought about throughout his career in Biomedical Science. 
  • 18:56 - Haematology Quiz: We challenged Dave, who won Celebrity Mastermind with the specialist subject of 'the red blood cell', to a haematology quiz of our own - see how he fares!
  • 21:00 - Part 2: From Haematology to Comedy! Dave chats about his transition into showbusiness, including comedy, writing, film production and television. 
  • 41:08 - Part 3: Quick-Fire round: As ever, Dave is challenged to our rapid question round; he is asked about his funniest stories from the lab, what he misses most about Biomedical Science and what he'd call a comedy series based on life in the lab. 

45:49 - LabLife with Sheryl Homa: Don't miss this LabLife with Sheryl Homa on the intriguing and vital specialism of Andrology and male reproductive health!

Links to further resources 

IBMS News

Dave Spikey

LabLife with Professor Sheryl Homa

 

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