This is a podcast about what happens when life and medicine collide – and how people overcome, adapt and thrive in the face of life’s health challenges. Each week, Dr Oscar Duke (GP on BBC Morning Live and author of How to Be a Dad) is joined by a guest who opens up about the challenges they’ve faced with their health – from chronic conditions and everyday health hurdles to life-altering surgeries – and how those experiences shaped their life’s achievements and path to success.
Guests will also be discussing some of the incredible and surprising bedside manners they’ve encountered along the way, as well as bringing along burning questions about their conditions, answered by top specialists and leading medical experts to explain the science, bust myths and offer guidance.
Follow Oscar on Instagram @droscarduke
Sponsored by HCA Healthcare UK.
A Pixiu production.
This week on Bedside Manners, Dr Oscar Duke is joined by broadcaster and bestselling author Andrea McLean for an honest conversation about her menopause journey. After years of living with endometriosis, Andrea underwent a hysterectomy and had her ovaries removed at 46, bringing on a sudden surgical menopause. She opens up about the impact on her confidence, relationships and career.
Plus, Oscar speaks to GP and menopause specialist Dr Rachel Hines from HCA Healthcare UK about recognising perimenopause, understanding HRT options and looking after your long-term health through menopause and beyond.
13 Oct 2026
Dr Punam Krishan on Breast Cancer
From the Strictly ballroom to a breast cancer diagnosis, Dr Punam Krishan’s life changed dramatically in the space of a year. In this deeply personal episode of Bedside Manners, the GP, broadcaster and author joins her friend and colleague Dr Oscar Duke to share what happened when she became the patient—and why being a doctor didn’t make the news any easier to hear.
Punam opens up about the discomfort that led her to seek help, the shock of her diagnosis and the difficult task of telling her children. She explains why she kept her cancer private during treatment, the extraordinary support of her breast cancer nurse, and why recovery means more than finishing treatment—it also means learning to feel safe in your body again.
Plus, breast oncologist Professor Peter Schmidt joins Oscar to explain how treatments are tailored to each patient and discuss managing menopausal symptoms when HRT isn’t an option.
6 Oct 2026
Hilary & Michael Whitehall on Ageing
Dr Oscar Duke is joined by Hilary and Michael Whitehall for a candid, funny and surprisingly revealing conversation about getting older.
From the realities of changing bodies and shifting priorities to staying curious, connected and healthy as the years go by, the Whitehalls bring their trademark warmth, honesty and sharp humour to the subject of ageing. Together, they explore what it really means to grow older well — and why a good sense of humour may be one of the best medicines going.
29 Sept 2026
Keegan Hirst on Heart Failure
In this episode of Bedside Manners, Dr Oscar Duke is joined by rugby star Keegan Hirst to talk openly about heart failure — from recognising the warning signs and understanding the diagnosis to managing life after treatment.
Keegan shares his personal experience of living with heart failure, the impact it has had on his health and everyday life, and what he wishes he had known sooner. Dr Oscar explains what heart failure really means, how it can affect people of all ages, and why early support and medical advice matter.
22 Sept 2026
Gabby Allen on Scoliosis
Dr Oscar Duke is back for a second season of Bedside Manners.
This week, Gabby Allen, the Love Island star, fitness professional and SAS: Who Dares Wins contestant, joins Dr Oscar to discuss being diagnosed with severe scoliosis at 11 and undergoing major spinal surgery. She shares the impact on her dancing, confidence and fitness career.
24 Jul 2025
Leanne Quigley on IVF, premature birth and parenting twins.
Dr. Oscar Duke welcomes Leanne Quigley—former British Army officer, logistics expert, and triumphant winner of The Traitors season three—to share her extraordinary journey through IVF, premature birth, and neonatal intensive care. Leanne reveals how the most intense battle of her life unfolded not on a gameshow set or the parade ground, but on the front lines of fertility treatment and parenting premature twins.
Leanne opens up about her lifelong dream of starting a family, the challenges of same-sex conception, and the rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak that IVF brought for her and her partner, Sophie.
14 Jul 2025
Jenny Powell on Perimenopause, Adenomyosis, and Life After Surgery
TV and radio presenter Jenny Powell joins Dr Oscar Duke for an open, honest conversation about perimenopause, chronic pain, and major surgery – and what it takes to keep going when your body starts changing faster than you can keep up.
Jenny reflects on the invisible symptoms of perimenopause, from brain fog to emotional overwhelm, and how years of discomfort led to a diagnosis of adenomyosis – a condition many women live with in silence.
She shares the story behind her decision to have a robotic hysterectomy to remove her womb and ovaries, how it impacted her physically and emotionally, and why better awareness around women’s health is so urgently needed.
Oscar is also joined by Dr Mahshid Nickkho-Amiry, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist from HCA Healthcare UK, who explains the stages of perimenopause, and how personalised care and surgical advances can improve quality of life.
This episode is sponsored by HCA Healthcare UK.
7 Jul 2025
Mark Mardell and Sir Nicholas Mostyn on Parkinson's, Movers and Shakers
BBC broadcaster Mark Mardell and High Court judge Sir Nicholas Mostyn discuss their Parkinson's diagnoses, the impact on their lives, and the creation of their support community with Dr. Oscar Duke in this interview.
30 Jun 2025
Julia Bradbury on Breast Cancer and the Power of Nature
TV presenter Julia Bradbury discusses her breast cancer journey with Dr. Oscar Duke, detailing her diagnosis, treatment, and the emotional impact on her family in an interview.
23 Jun 2025
Ade Adepitan on Sport, Stigma and Sacrifice
Paralympian Ade Adepitan recounts his journey from Nigeria to becoming a sporting hero, sharing insights on resilience, family sacrifice, and confronting stigma in an interview with Oscar.
16 Jun 2025
Rosie Smith & Lorraine Kelly on Two Generations of Motherhood
Rosie Smith and Lorraine Kelly discuss two generations of motherhood with Dr. Oscar Duke, exploring pregnancy, early parenting, and managing career expectations in this interview.
9 Jun 2025
Chloe Meadows on Breaking Stigma Around Ulcerative Colitis
Reality TV star Chloe Meadows discusses her experience living with ulcerative colitis and breaking the stigma surrounding the disease in an interview with Dr. Oscar Duke, while Professor James Lindsay explains the science behind the condition.
2 Jun 2025
Aljaž Škorjanec on Strictly, Sunbeds and Psoriasis
Ballroom dancer Aljaž Škorjanec discusses his successful career and personal experience managing psoriasis, while Dr. Angela Tewari explores available treatments for the skin condition in an interview with Dr. Oscar Duke.
26 May 2025
Paul Whitehouse on Dodgy Hearts and Dodgier Fishing with Bob Mortimer
Comedian Paul Whitehouse tells Dr. Oscar Duke about his heart issues and bonding with Bob Mortimer over fishing after life-saving surgery in this interview episode.
19 May 2025
Miriam Margolyes on Ageing, Onions, and Matters of the Heart
Actress Miriam Margolyes discusses aging, health challenges, and the importance of social connections with Dr. Oscar Duke in an interview, while Professor Michael Fertleman explores elderly care and surgical considerations.
16 May 2025
Welcome to Bedside Manners
Dr. Oscar Duke introduces his new series, Bedside Manners, offering listeners a glimpse into the world of healthcare.
Who has been a guest on Bedside Manners
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Mark Mardell
Sir Nicholas Mostyn
Julia Bradbury
Ade Adepitan
Rosie Smith
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 4 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
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