Xand van Tulleken

Dr Xand van Tulleken is a leading BBC science presenter, co-hosts the BAFTA-winning Operation Ouch! and the award-winning podcast A Thorough Examination. He is also serving as a lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine with extensive experience in conflict zones and tropical medicine. Xand champions the integration of mental and physical healthcare and the vital role of patient voices in shaping services.

Making complex health information accessible to the public has never been more critical, yet misinformation spreads faster than evidence. Dr Xand van Tulleken is a medical doctor, broadcaster, and public health advocate who specialises in translating scientific research into engaging, practical guidance that empowers audiences to make informed decisions about their wellbeing. As one of the BBC's leading science presenters and co-host of the BAFTA-winning children's series Operation Ouch! alongside his twin brother Chris, Xand has built a reputation for making medicine both understandable and entertaining. His work spans television, podcasting, live events, and academic teaching, all unified by a commitment to cutting through health myths and helping people trust their bodies.

Xand's credibility stems from rigorous medical training and diverse professional experience. With expertise in tropical medicine and a background working in conflict zones delivering humanitarian aid, he brings a real-world clinical perspective to his broadcasting work. He serves as a lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where his academic focus on public health informs his media output. Operation Ouch! has won two children's BAFTAs and a Broadcast Award for Best Children's Programme, whilst the live tours in Australia and the UK have sold out repeatedly, demonstrating his ability to captivate audiences beyond the screen. His award-winning podcast with Chris, A Thorough Examination, tackles pressing topics including food, weight, and addiction, recently addressing widespread anxieties around wellness trends such as microplastics and magnesium supplementation. Xand has also contributed to documentary filmmaking on subjects ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to environmental pollution, and authored several books exploring weight loss and human biology. His regular appearances as a resident doctor on Morning Live and hosting Healthcheck UK Live further cement his role as a trusted voice in daytime health education.

Xand's speaking engagements deliver practical value by equipping audiences with tools to navigate health information critically and confidently. Recently, he delivered the keynote address at the Cambridge Children's Hospital inaugural conference, participating in panel discussions about integrating mental and physical healthcare and amplifying patient and carer voices in shaping services. His presentations help organisations and individuals distinguish evidence from hype, encouraging audiences to tune out noise and focus on what genuinely matters for their health. Whether addressing corporate teams about wellbeing strategies, healthcare professionals about patient engagement, or public audiences about scientific literacy, Xand combines warmth, humour, and rigorous expertise to inspire lasting behaviour change. His message is ultimately one of reassurance and empowerment: that our bodies are strong, functional, and deserving of informed care rather than anxiety-driven intervention.