How CBBC's 'Dr Xand' learned surviving Covid isn't child's play

TV presenter and medic tells of his own illness, government failures and how to win over the anti-vaxxers

Best known as half of the twin-presenter duo of CBBC's Operation Ouch!, Dr Xand van Tulleken's impeccable credentials - a medical degree and qualifications in public health and tropical medicine - have also seen him front documentaries on everything from male suicide to the science of dating. But earlier this year he found the tables turned when he caught Covid while he and his brother Chris were making a programme on the pandemic.

Being a doctor didn't stop him panicking. I was properly anxious, and frightened at the prospect of spending two weeks completely on my own when I was ill," he told me. I was quite tearful speaking to my twin about it all."