Radio star fights tears on air after finding out he has a ‘dangerously low’ sperm count
- Nick Allen-Ducat found out he’s nearly infertile
- He did a fertility test for a radio stunt
A radio presenter who discovered he has a ‘dangerously low’ sperm count fought back tears during an emotional broadcast.
Newcastle Hit 106.9 host Nick Allen-Ducat, 31, took a fertility test as part of an on-air stunt and wasn’t expecting the heartbreaking results.
One of his two co-hosts, Jess Farchione, told Hit’s audience that she was having trouble getting pregnant, so her husband got a fertility test.
As a joke, Nick and third co-presenter Nick Gill decided to do a test as well.
The next day he got the news that his sperm count had crossed the ‘red line’.
“When you take a sample like that, a milliliter sample, 15 million sperm is the norm,” he told his father. A current situation host Chris Allen, on Thursday.
‘[The doctor] essentially called me and said ‘we found 20’. I went ‘20,000? What are we talking about here?’ and it was two-nil [20].’
Nick Allen-Ducat (pictured with his wife Morgan) found out he’s nearly infertile after a radio stunt
Nick said the news put him into “survival mode” and destroyed any plans he and his wife, Morgan, had to start a family next year.
The news only got worse after the couple found out that the low sperm count is likely due to a genetic mutation in Nick’s Y chromosome.
The Newcastle Hit 106.9 bosses told him they could bury the whole fertility stunt so the sensitive subject wouldn’t get airborne.
However, several days later, Nick bravely told listeners the truth as a way to inspire other men struggling with infertility.
“We haven’t even started yet [trying for a baby] and we’re struggling, really, really hard,” he said, fighting back tears.
“We have our health and all that stuff. I’m not trying to sit there and say, “Woe is me,” I’m not.
“There’s just a lot of things going on here, a lot of deep things going on.”
Nick explained how the genetic cause means that if he had a son, he would likely have the same fertility issues.
‘My father doesn’t have it, I have no brothers. they think it just started with me,” he said.
“To bring a child into the world knowing it is a real head trip for me because it almost feels cruel.
Nick (above) told listeners about his low sperm count and the issues associated with it in an effort to raise awareness
“It’s a lot to take in.”
Despite all odds, Nick has remained positive and he and his wife are looking at IVF treatments for next year.
“I’ve been stopped on the street by people saying they’re lining up to get tested after hearing my story,” he said.
“Now I say, well at the end of the day it only takes one swimmer to work. So if you have one, you have a chance.’