EPISODE 46 - The Naked Neds

Naked Neds: Theatre, Testicles & Talking About It

In this powerful and moving episode of Check One Two – The Lowdown on Testicular Cancer, host Paul McCaffery is joined by writer Ingram Noble and actor Lewis Gillon, the creative duo behind Naked Neds — a raw, funny, and deeply human play tackling male mental health and testicular cancer awareness. Born from a personal experience when a friend had a testicular cancer scare, Ingram wrote the play to fill a glaring gap in male cancer awareness and to help normalise conversations around self-checking, anxiety, and vulnerability. Lewis, who plays Cammie — a character who struggles to open up — brings the story to life on stage with heart, humour, and honesty.

Together, the pair unpack how art can become activism. They explore the power of theatre to cut through stigma and start conversations about testicular cancer symptoms, how to check testicles, and the mental health effects of illness and silence. From the awkwardness of getting your kit off on stage to the relief of laughter in tough moments, the episode is a celebration of courage — on and off the stage.

With an emphasis on male cancer awareness, Ingram and Lewis highlight the importance of accessible, accurate storytelling and their collaboration with organisations like Cahonas to make sure they’re sharing the right message: check yourself, talk to someone, and don’t wait. They also discuss how the show has sparked real-life actions — people reaching out, getting checked, or supporting friends through testicular cancer diagnoses.

Whether you’re curious about how theatre can challenge taboo, looking for NHS testicular cancer advice, or simply want to hear real testicular cancer stories told with humour and humanity, this episode delivers. It's a unique blend of performance and purpose, and a reminder that sometimes the boldest thing we can do is talk.