Home   Deal   News   Article

Channel 4's 'My Dead Body' airing date revealed showing dissection of Deal mum Toni Crews

The date for a television-first documentary showing the dissection of a Kent mum who died of a rare cancer has been revealed.

Channel 4 have confirmed the slot for My Dead Body, which covers the life and death of Toni Crews from Deal.

Toni Crews pictured on the day of her lung biopsy in March 2020
Toni Crews pictured on the day of her lung biopsy in March 2020

Mrs Crews was just 30 when she lost a four-year battle with the disease that started in her tear duct.

The beloved mum of two died after her adenocarcinoma returned for a third time in August 2020.

Tragically, the outbreak of coronavirus meant she was unable to access a clinical trial to treat her chemotherapy-resistant disease.

Following her death, the young mum became the first person in the UK to donate her body for public display.

My Dead Body aims to tell the story of her illness before and after her death, and is hoped to educate people about the "one in a million" cancer that took her life.

Toni Crews is set to be dissected in a television first
Toni Crews is set to be dissected in a television first

A Channel 4 spokesman confirmed today that the one-off programme will air on Monday, December 5, at 10pm.

Featuring home video footage and interviews with her family, it will be narrated by Toni herself using "cutting-edge" voice replicating technology.

Professor Claire Smith, head of anatomy at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, which worked alongside Channel 4 for the documentary, said the university had been "so privileged" to do the work thanks to Toni's "incredible donation".

"As part of this documentary, we were able to invite more than 1,000 students, including nurses, paramedics and neuroscientists, who wouldn’t normally get to learn about this one in a million cancer," she added.

“Toni’s gift of body donation doesn’t end with this documentary either; her body will be used to educate our medical students and doctors for years to come.”

Anna Miralis, Channel 4 commissioning editor, said: "This landmark documentary will bring together the latest in anatomical science and cutting-edge tech to tell one of the most intimate stories of all: how a young mum bravely fought for her life against a rare form of cancer.

"By donating her body to public display – the first of its kind in the UK – Toni Crews has given us an extraordinary and unique insight into the journey of the disease; while the presence of her voice in the form of diary entries, letters and social media posts ensures the film is filled with all the warmth and generosity that characterised Toni’s inspiring life."

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More