Dr Karl is Blue September's good neighbour

Australian actor Alan Fletcher, better known as Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours, packed up his stethoscope and came to the UK last week to help launch Blue September.

As a Blue September ambassador, Alan was asking UK men to ‘face up’ to the risk of cancer - quite literally – by painting his face blue!

'UK men are 60% more likely to develop one of the cancers that affect men and women and 70% more likely to die from them,' says Alan.

'We have to find a way to reduce this, and that’s what Blue September is all about - prevention through lifestyle changes; and early diagnosis through being aware of the symptoms and going to the doctor early.'

Kid's stuff

First stop on the tour was Liverpool and a visit to Liverpool Football Club. As a lifelong red fan, Alan jumped at the opportunity to visit Anfield and talk about men’s health issues, whilst also doing an interview about the campaign with BBC Radio Merseyside. He even painted some of the young fans blue.

Back in the capital, Alan appeared on This Morning with Ruth and Eammon and Channel 5’s OK TV! to talk about his passion for Blue September and the important message behind the blue faces; he did numerous radio interviews and even managed to squeeze in a visit to Celebrity Juice (squeeze, juice - geddit!)

Wright stuff

On Friday, Alan was on the panel for The Wright Stuff, who really got behind the campaign, devoting one of the discussion topics to why men are so reluctant to see the doctor, and talking at length about the cancers that affect men, such as prostate and bowel.

Matthew Wright was really interested in the campaign, and happy to paint his face blue for the cause.

Thanks for your support Alan - everybody needs good neighbours.

• Listen to Alan Fletcher on Salford City Radio