TV APPEARANCES are nothing new to Oxfordshire scientist Mike Leahy, but he admits he is getting nervous as the launch of his "experimental" show approaches.

Not only will Dr Leahy be seen vomiting as he learns how to fly a fighter jet, and verging of the edge of insanity as he battles to stay awake after three days without sleep.

He will also be seen cheering as his most intimate bodily fluids "race" against co-presenter Zeron Gibson's in front of a packed pub.

The aim is to find out whose sperm will make it to an egg fastest and whether it is linked to the size of man's nether regions.

The winner will remain a mystery until Labrat is screened on BBC3, from tomorrow (April 15).

Dr Leahy, of North Leigh, near Witney, studied at Oxford Brookes University to become a virologist after working for 10 years as a mechanic.

He came up with the TV show after his first brush with self-experimentation last November, for the BBC1 programme Bodysnatchers.

He was seen infecting himself with an African tapeworm and letting it grow for 11 weeks, before taking an anti-worm pill and passing it -- four metres long.

Dr Leahy worked with the Open University on his latest series.

He said: "I've loved the freedom that filming for BBC3 has given me.

"We are hoping that this will inspire people to study more about the science behind their existence.

"After experimenting on myself and finding out what high g-force and totally-absorbing fear feels like, I definitely wanted to get my books out and study the subjects in more depth."

Dr Leahy, one of a team of scientists who went prospecting for gold in New Zealand for the BBC2 programme Rough Science, will be in Thailand on honeymoon with wife Lizanne when the first episode of Labrat goes out.

He said he was somewhat nervous, but excited that he had been able to give people the opportunity to learn about science in a fun way.

"It's hard to think what could be more embarrassing than having a worm come out of your backside on national TV, but I think I've still got it to come," he said.

Labrat will be shown on Thursdays at 11.30pm on BBC3.