In 2006, Bull was nominated as the Conservative Party candidate for Brighton Pavilion in the following general election. He stood down in 2009 to head up a Conservative policy review on sexual health, an area about which he has been outspoken, and was replaced by Charlotte Vere.
Despite having wanted to be a doctor since childhood, Bull described working for the NHS as tough. Nevertheless, he continued to work in general medicine as a house officer and senior house officer in general medicine, surgery and accident and emergency. Frustrated with the lack of knowledge patients had, he felt that no one was concentrating on proactive health, stopping people from becoming ill in the first place, so he took up that challenge. He pursued his interest in broadcasting - specifically television, combining his new role with his ongoing clinical duties.[4][non-primary source needed] He holds full medical registration with the General Medical Council and had his licence to practise restored in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemicspreading to the United Kingdom.[5]
Media career
In 1995, Bull auditioned to be a guest commentator for The Sky Travel Guide on Sky Travel. Of the auditioning process Bull recalled, "I had to read autocue, I had to interview someone, and I had to handle a live show...you can't beat that sort of experience." Bull was awarded the position on Sky Travel, giving advice for the holiday health feature to those traveling abroad, and beginning his career as a television commentator and presenter.[6]
Within months of appearing on The Sky Travel Guide,[7] Bull joined the long-running Newsround as a presenter and producer of segments regarding children's health. Bull's reports on Newsround were also featured on BBC News, including a documentary on bullying that won the Royal Television Society Award for Best Children's Factual programme.[3][non-primary source needed]
Whilst on Newsround, Bull became a regular on popular kids shows on Saturday mornings for CBBC, The Weather Show, Saturday Aardvark, K Club and Bitesize Debate specials. He also hosted, in his role as a doctor, Why Me? and Call the Doctor. Bull then became the sole presenter of Tell Me About It! for New Zealand's C4 TV station. Aimed at young people, the five-instalment programme tackled issues including eating disorders, parental divorces and teen drug use and alcoholism.[8]
In 1998, Bull published his first book, Cool and Celibate?: Sex and No Sex, arguing the benefits of abstinence in teenagers, translated in multiple languages. Bull followed his first book with What Every Girl Should Know: An A to Z of Health-From Allergies to Zits! in 1999.[9]
Bull joined the BBC's Watchdog in 1999. While on Watchdog, he also appeared on Holiday, Let's Get Healthy, The Really Useful Show, Daily Live and This Morning. He then hosted Watchdog Healthcheck, a weekly, half-hour health programme running from 2001 to 2002.[8]
In addition to appearing on Healthcheck, Bull presented the science and technology-centred Tomorrow's World, before presenting Most Haunted on Living TV.[8] Bull appeared on Live TV's highest rated series, Most Haunted Live! from October 2002 to October 2005, hosting three-hour instalments that featured paranormal investigations broadcast live with interactive sections involving the audience. Bull also participated in a ghost hunt at Choughs Hotel where he claimed to have seen an apparition, though he admitted it could have been an optical illusion.[10]
Bull made his American television debut in 2010 as a contributor on the daytime talk show The Rachael Ray Show. First appearing on the 12 April 2010 segment "Why You Crave Food", Bull discussed the effects of high-fat, high-calorie foods on the brain and gave advice on cutting down on cravings.[11] On 23 July 2010, Bull returned to The Rachel Ray Show to discuss "Mystery Diseases".[12]
In 2012, Bull started hosting for Food Network's series Sugar Dome which is broadcast in the US, Canada, Asia and the UK.[13] He has also co-presented Coast vs Country on Channel 4.[8]
In December 2006, Bull was selected to represent the Parliamentary seat of Brighton Pavilion at the 2010 general election for the Conservative Party, after being placed on the party's A-List earlier that year. He withdrew his candidacy in June 2009 and was replaced by Charlotte Vere.[14] Denying rumours that he quit after falling out with party leadership, Bull cited the increased workload accompanying his recent appointment to head up a Conservative policy review on sexual health with Shadow Health Minister Anne Milton.[15][16]
In 2000, Bull founded the creative branding company, Incredibull.[21] He sold his interest in the business in 2017.
Bull is a supporter of The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, (a charity he has been associated with for over twenty years), The British Red Cross, Cancer Research and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and has worked with young people in schools on behalf of the organisation.[22]
Personal life
Bull is openly gay. In 2007 he appeared at the Brighton Pride Parade for which he designed and wore a t-shirt with the slogan "I've come out... I'm a Tory", saying it was acceptable to be gay and a Conservative.[15]
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