If you have just listened to our epic episode with Callum Scott Howells and loved It’s A Sin as much as I did, this episode dives into the issues raised in both. Today we are joined by two incredible and inspirational people who have been directly impacted by HIV: Jill Nalder who It’s A Sin’s character, Jill, is based on and Eugene Lynch who was diagnosed with HIV in 2013 and is now a Senior Positive Voices Coordinator at the Terrence Higgins Trust.
In case you haven’t watched It’s A Sin yet - WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN – the show which is nominated for 11 Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards - explores the lives and loves of group of queer youngsters beginning a new life in 1980s London and soon find themselves struck by the HIV pandemic, ignored by most of the world at the time. Created by the iconic Russel T Davies, the show is now nominated for an incredible 11 awards at the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards including a nomination for Colin’s diagnosis scene - played powerfully by Callum Scott Howells - for the Virgin Media Must See Moment Award.
In this episode Jill Nalder who was not only the inspiration for Jill Baxter in the show, the character played by Lydia West (check out Lydia’s Reign episode - it’s episode four!) but also plays her onscreen mother, reflects on losing a number of close friends in the 1980s who were affected by the HIV pandemic. She also talks powerfully about allyship whilst looking back on her own experience of supporting her friends through this time, taking them tests and visiting them in hospital.
Eugene Lynch joins us to talk about his own journey from his diagnosis with HIV to today, the reality of living with HIV today and looks back on the progress we have made with society’s approach to HIV and what we can do to eradicate the stigma that still persists.
Plus Jill and Eugene talk about the incredible work of the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity which offers support, information and advice services for those living with HIV and affected by HIV or poor sexual health. This year marks 40 years since the death of Terry Higgins - one of the first people in the UK to die from an AIDS-related illness - and the formation of the charity in his name. And for 40 years their vision is for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination, and good sexual health is a right and reality for all.
Both Jill and Eugene share some truly inspirational stories and advice we all need to listen to so I hope their stories strike a chord with you, like they did with me. I hope you love listening to this episode and I also hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives. If you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx
P.S. If you have been affected by any of the content raised in this episode, are living with HIV yourself or you know someone that is, please head to The Terrence Higgins Trust.
And while It’s A Sin centers on a group of gay men in London, Terrence Higgins Trust continues to work with a whole host of different people as HIV can, and does, affect anyone of any age, sexuality, ethnicity or gender. Despite this, 77% of UK adults have never had a HIV test. Routine testing needs to be increased to find people living with undiagnosed HIV in the UK.

For more information on testing, for support of for more information visit tht.org.uk
P.P.S I can’t really believe that this and you will have heard all about it in the podcast but this very special episode of REIGN is brought to you in partnership with Virgin Media – proud sponsors of the British Academy Television Awards.

Virgin Media brings together all your favourite entertainment under one roof. And, as the only award at the Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards that’s voted for by us, the public, Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment represents real TV fans and the moments we love!
It’s down to six unmissable TV moments, including Colin’s devastating AIDs diagnosis in It’s A Sin, which we’ve discussed in this episode. But there can be only one winner.
So who’ll be crowned Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment of 2021? You’ll have to tune in for this year’s Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards on 8th May at 6pm to find out! I’ll be joining you on the sofa in my evening wear finest! SEE YA THERE! X