CASE STUDY
Everything’s rosy in Chris’s garden
Chris Needs is a radio broadcaster working
with BBC Radio Wales
From the time he accepted a lift in family friend
Richard Burton’s car when he was 8 years old,
destiny meant that Chris Needs would carve out a
career in show business. From playing keyboards with Bonnie Tyler and having three
different roles on Pobol y Cwm to presenting an award winning radio show, Chris Needs has
done it all – and more.
Having recently celebrated 20 years of broadcasting, his night time radio show has
thousands of loyal listeners who tune in and join him in his “garden” as he shares his
various and hugely interesting life experiences.
“What you hear on the radio – that is how I am in person as well. I suspect that’s why
people enjoy it – it’s real life stuff delivered with some Cwmafan humour.”
While growing up in the Swansea valley, Chris freely admits his interest in physical activity
was limited and his love of cigarettes wasn’t great for his lungs, but he generally enjoyed
good health and had no major concerns. This changed at the turn of the millennium as he
was diagnosed as diabetic.
“I remember going for a routine check-up with my doctor and him giving me the results of
my blood test – the sugar level should normally be around 7, and mine was 61! That was
naturally quite a shock to the system and it meant a lifestyle change, not only because of a
big change to my diet, I needed regular insulin injections too.”
Luckily, Chris’s career was not affected, going from strength to strength, he has since won
a Sony Radio Award, got a Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2005 was bestowed an MBE
for services to broadcasting and charity.
“I took the illness in my stride. Yes I had to make some changes, but I was still the same
person. It did unfortunately lead to some further medical complications such as angina,
although I blame my parents for passing that onto me!”
Chris did notice however that his immune system was affected and any colds or coughs
could develop into much more serious conditions. That is why he ensures he gets the best
protection by having his flu vaccination every year in the autumn before flu starts to
circulate.
“If I’m honest I was slightly sceptical about getting the jab a few years ago as I thought it
may give me flu - but that myth was quickly banished after a chat with my doctor. All I can
say now is that I have the jab every year and I have never had the flu and never felt
poorly after having it – so that’s good enough for me.”
For more information on the Beat Flu campaign visit www.beatflu.org or follow on Facebook
and Twitter – just search for beat flu.
© 2016 Public Health Wales NHS Trust