IF laughter is the best medicine, a new comedy night in Wigan could be just the tonic!

Organisers are hoping a mix of comedy and rugby league will ensure the borough’s blokes start thinking and talking about that most taboo of subjects…..their own health.

Top comedian John Ryan will poke some good natured fun at men’s attitude – or lack of it – to exercise….why blokes hate going to the doctors and why they simply can’t say what they feel.

They’ll also be able to meet Wigan Warriors players Pat Richards and Sean O’Loughlin and have their picture taken next to the Super League trophy.

Award winning comic John has performed in prisons, army bases, football clubs and art centres.

Mr Ryan said: “If I can people to laugh, I can get people to listen. It will be a great night of comedy, not preachy, just a laugh with a bit of a health message.”

During the night leaflets on everything from checking for testicular cancer to gym membership will be handed out to encourage men to think more seriously about their own health.

Organiser Jane Hynes is manager of the NHS-commissioned Community Weight Management service in Wigan. She said: “The night has been organised in response to men’s well-documented aversion to taking their health seriously.

“Making light of something can make it easier to talk about and hopefully the night will encourage men to take an interest in their own health and well-being.
“If we can make them laugh maybe we can break down some misconceptions such as ‘avoiding visiting the doctor makes you more manly’.
“Men need to take their health more seriously.”

Talkin’ Bol***ks has been organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Active Living Team in partnership with Age UK, NHS Ashton, Leigh and Wigan and Wigan Warriors to highlight some startling statistics.

In the UK life expectancy for men is 77.4 years compared to 81.6 years for women.

Middle aged men are twice as likely as women to have diabetes and twice as likely not to know they have it!

While 21 per cent of men die between the ages of 15 and 64 compared to just 12 per cent of women.

Roger Jones, national co-ordinator for Fit as a Fiddle Age UK, said: “This is part of our Fit as a Fiddle older men’s project which aims at getting the over 50s man healthy and active by providing activities which are fun and healthy but also have a strong social  base which encourages men to work together and support each other.”

Talkin’ Bol***ks is being held at the DW Stadium on Thursday 27 January starting at 7pm.

For tickets call  01942 488 481. To find out more visit www.activeliving.org.uk

Visit John Ryan’s Official Comic Voice Management Page