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Professor Claire Smith

The My Dead Body documentary, largely filmed at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), and featuring dissections led by Professor Claire Smith, is in the running to receive some of British television’s most prestigious awards.

The programme has been nominated for a Royal Television Society Award in the Science and Natural World category, and the director, Sophie Robinson, has been shortlisted for a BAFTA Craft Award.

The documentary focused on the body donation of brave mum Toni Crews who died from a rare cancer inside her tear gland. The programme has helped educate the public and medical and healthcare professionals on the progression of cancer in the body, as well as the importance of body donation.

Toni, who in life campaigned for greater cancer awareness, consented to the televising of the dissection of her body, and now millions of members of the general public have gained a rare insight into science, research and medicine through the documentary.

Professor Smith said: ‘Being shortlisted for this award is an amazing acknowledgement of all involved in the documentary, especially Toni and her family. I am so proud to have been part of such a ground-breaking and moving programme.’

You can watch the documentary in the Channel 4 website ahead of the Royal Television Society Award ceremony which will take place in London on Tuesday 28 March.