Man plants tape worms in his guts to learn more about parasites for BBC Four doc

It's one of those programmes that'll prompt you to jump up from your sofa and start shaking off imaginary creepy crawlies that are running all over your body; and no, we're not talking about I'm A Celeb.

Monday night's pick is BBC Four documentary, Infested! Living with Parasites; it first emerged in 2014, but if you missed it, it's well worth a watch. Not one for the faint-hearted, the documentary is presented by the stuntman of science, Michael Mosley.

The 59-year-old television journalist explores human beings' relationship with parasites – which exist in pretty much every living creature on Earth.

In a quest to discover the meaning of their existence, he reveals that while some of them are dangerous to human health, a fair selection of parasites may actually be beneficial to the human body.

Mosley – ever the trooper – prepares to find out for himself by putting his body through unthinkable hell. He amps up the entertainment factor by purposefully planting metre-long tapeworms in his guts, placing lice on his skin and getting bitten by a leech. Ew. Ew. Ewww.

Aside from the stomach-churning scenes, there is significant scientific findings included, such as the revelation of what parasites can teach us about our evolution. Surprisingly, they taught us manners. The documentary also questions whether parasitical worms could potentially treat auto-immune diseases.

Infested! Living with Parasites airs on BBC Four at 9pm on Monday night (21 November).