Pixie McKenna
Encyclopedia
Bernadette Anne McKenna, known as Pixie McKenna (born 20 January 1971) (MB
BCh
BAO) is an Irish
doctor and television presenter. She is best known for her work on the Channel 4
series Embarrassing Illnesses and its sister series Embarrassing Bodies and BBC Three
's Freaky Eaters
.
at University College Cork, graduating in 1995. After qualifying as a general practitioner
in 1999, McKenna moved to the UK
and practised in Notting Hill
, London
for 3 years. She then set up a GP practice in Ireland while continuing sessional work at Harley Street
. In the public sector
, she acts as a clinical assistant in sexual health and dermatology
for the NHS
and has worked at a number of London teaching hospitals.
, a show which helps individuals overcome eating disorders. That same year she went on to co-present Embarrassing Illnesses
, a show which highlights common conditions that people are reluctant to discuss with their doctors, and in 2008 co-presented its sister series Embarrassing Bodies. This has, on numerous occasions, led her onto The Ray D'Arcy Show
on Today FM
to discuss the various embarrassing illnesses endured by the programme's listeners.
In December 2010, McKenna was a contestant on BBC's Celebrity Mastermind
; she finished in last place.
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, or in Latin Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae , are the two first professional degrees awarded upon graduation from medical school in medicine and surgery by universities in various countries...
BCh
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, or in Latin Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae , are the two first professional degrees awarded upon graduation from medical school in medicine and surgery by universities in various countries...
BAO) is an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
doctor and television presenter. She is best known for her work on the Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
series Embarrassing Illnesses and its sister series Embarrassing Bodies and BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
's Freaky Eaters
Freaky Eaters
Freaky Eaters is an observational British documentary series produced by independent television production company betty for BBC Three. Series 1 was narrated by the actress Jill Halfpenny and series 2 by Sharon Horgan...
.
Education and training
McKenna attended medical school in IrelandRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
at University College Cork, graduating in 1995. After qualifying as a general practitioner
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
in 1999, McKenna moved to the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and practised in Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
for 3 years. She then set up a GP practice in Ireland while continuing sessional work at Harley Street
Harley Street
Harley Street is a street in the City of Westminster in London, England which has been noted since the 19th century for its large number of private specialists in medicine and surgery.- Overview :...
. In the public sector
Public sector
The public sector, sometimes referred to as the state sector, is a part of the state that deals with either the production, delivery and allocation of goods and services by and for the government or its citizens, whether national, regional or local/municipal.Examples of public sector activity range...
, she acts as a clinical assistant in sexual health and dermatology
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
for the NHS
National Health Service (England)
The National Health Service or NHS is the publicly funded healthcare system in England. It is both the largest and oldest single-payer healthcare system in the world. It is able to function in the way that it does because it is primarily funded through the general taxation system, similar to how...
and has worked at a number of London teaching hospitals.
Television career
In 2007 McKenna began to appear on Freaky EatersFreaky Eaters
Freaky Eaters is an observational British documentary series produced by independent television production company betty for BBC Three. Series 1 was narrated by the actress Jill Halfpenny and series 2 by Sharon Horgan...
, a show which helps individuals overcome eating disorders. That same year she went on to co-present Embarrassing Illnesses
Embarrassing Illnesses
Embarrassing Bodies is a British television programme broadcast by Channel 4 and made by Maverick Television since 2007. In 2011, a live show was introduced, "Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic", which consists of 47 minutes...
, a show which highlights common conditions that people are reluctant to discuss with their doctors, and in 2008 co-presented its sister series Embarrassing Bodies. This has, on numerous occasions, led her onto The Ray D'Arcy Show
The Ray D'Arcy Show
The Ray D'Arcy Show is Today FM's weekday mid-morning radio show presented by Ray D'Arcy. It is on air from 09:00–12:00 midday, competing with RTÉ 2fm's Ryan Tubridy, RTÉ Radio 1's Pat Kenny and Newstalk's Tom Dunne .The production team of Jenny Kelly, Will Hanafin and Mairead Farrell and...
on Today FM
Today FM
Radio Ireland Ltd, trading as 100-102 Today FM is an Irish commercial FM radio station which is available nationally. The station, which commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997, can be received nationally and carries a mix of music and talk...
to discuss the various embarrassing illnesses endured by the programme's listeners.
In December 2010, McKenna was a contestant on BBC's Celebrity Mastermind
Celebrity Mastermind
Celebrity Mastermind is a British television quiz show broadcast by BBC television. The show is a spin-off of the long running quiz show Mastermind, with the exception that all the contestants are celebrities. As with the main show, John Humphrys is the host and question-master...
; she finished in last place.