Jonathan Van-Tam became yet again a social media celebrity last night when he took off his iconic shirt and tie to expose…a slightly more formal shirt.
The popularity of England’s deputy chief physician officer is a result of his shared love for humor and inspiring similes.
Last night, Professor Van-Tam hosted the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, a broadcast on BBC Four in which he and other experts dived into viruses’ microworld.
The show’s opening scene saw him dressed in a stylish black suit with a shirt and tie. He stood at the lectern, which bore the familiar message, ‘Stay Alert. Control The Virus. Save Lives.’
He said to viewers, “Good evening, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam,” and added: “I’m deputy chief medical officer in England. Many people may remember me making health announcements from No10 Downing Street. This evening is different.
He then took off his shirt and tie before disappearing in smoke.
He pointed to the camera and said, “Tonight, I am speaking to you, not as a government advisor, but as scientist, doctor, and doctor.” Welcoming to the Royal Institution Christmas lectures. Tonight, we’re going viral!’
After ripping off his shirt, tie, and disappearing into smoke, the professor continued to do so.
Then he returned to his original attire but in a slightly more casual outfit, with a lighter blue shirt underneath.
He pointed to the camera and said, “Tonight, I am speaking to you, not as a government advisor, but as scientist, doctor, and doctor.” Welcoming to the Royal Institution Christmas lectures. Tonight, we’re going viral!’
This stunt attracted a lot of attention on social media. One user compared JVT to Steve Coogan, whose comedy cringe character was Alan Partridge.
Many others, however, praised the professor’s ability to clearly explain complex topics in an amusing manner.
One commented, “I wait for similie loving JVT” to comment that “dealing with Covid feels very much like falling in love to a beautiful lady.”
Another thought was that JVT could host his own daytime quiz program called “Viral”.
A third said: ‘Watching the first #RoyalInstitutionChristmasLecture. It was amazing. Jonathan Van-Tam is my crush.
Royal Institution added, “It’s an bird!” It’s actually a plane. No, it’s JVT! Our 2021 Christmas Lecturer is very much appreciated. This is a great opportunity to start this adventure together and learn about viruses, their spread, and how to combat them.
In this episode, Professor Van Tam explained how viruses could be transmitted. How viruses can infect us and how revolutionary testing could transform medicine.
The lecture was delivered by Professor Katie Ewer, an immunologist, and Professor Ravi Gupta. It revealed the inside workings of virus and allowed the audience to participate in a heist mission.
They also examined the results of testing and dived in to a nostril for the secrets of snot. The mysteries behind PCR are revealed by hacking into a large lateral flow. This is how we can see the potential for modern diagnostic technology to shape medicine’s future.
The Christmas Lectures are the most prestigious event in the Royal Institution’s calendar, dating from 1825 when Michael Faraday founded the series.
They are the world’s longest-running science television series and aim to inspire and amaze each year through explosive demonstrations and interactive experiments with a live theatre audience.