Mike Leahy
Michael Brian "Mike" Leahy (born 1966)[1][2] is a British scientist and TV presenter, known for his series Bite Me on the National Geographic Channel.
Leahy grew up in Steventon (now in Oxfordshire, England) and attended John Mason Comprehensive School in Abingdon.[1] He left school at 16 and worked for ten years as a motor mechanic.[3] He was then a student at both Oxford Brookes University and Oxford University,[1] where he gained a D.Phil in Virology and Molecular Biology.[3]
When in his 30's Leahy gave up his job as a researcher to become a full-time television presenter, presenting three series of the BBC's Rough Science.[3] This was followed by filming for the National Geographic Channel's series Bite Me. For this, Leahy needed to visit 25 locations in eight countries,[1] facing snakes, fish, bugs and parasites. He claimed he was hospitalised five times and almost died after suffering an anaphylactic reaction when he was bitten by South American fire ants.[1] The series first aired in November 2009.
References
- ^ a b c d e Airs, Thom (2 November 2009). "Oxford scientist is really bitten by the TV bug". The Oxford Times. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
- ^ Airs, Thom (18 January 2010). "Creepy crawlie expert offers to speak to schools". Herald Series (South Oxfordshire). Retrieved 3 August 2012.
- ^ a b c "Why TV presenting is giving Dr Mike Leahy a real buzz". The Mirror (London). 5 November 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2012.