The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off

The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off

Watch this episode now on 4oD The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off

Jonny Kennedy is a man with a lot to do. He's got just four months to move home, befriend Nell McAndrew, fly a plane, visit Downing Street - and plan his own funeral.

36-year-old Jonny is an extraordinary man with a terrible condition - Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) - which means his skin literally falls off at the slightest touch, leaving his body covered in agonising sores and leading to a final fight against skin cancer. In 2003, Jonny decided to work with filmmaker Patrick Collerton to document his last months in an uplifting, confounding and provocatively humorous story of a singular man.

Although it never shies away from the grim reality of his illness, this moving film is a celebration of a life lived to the full. Whether chatting up Nell McAndrew or choosing a coffin with a surprising baked-bean can motif, Jonny displays a devilish humour, an acute intelligence and an unwillingness to suffer his fate, or fools, gladly.

When it was first shown, The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off captivated nearly five million viewers and helped to raise £500,000 for the EB charity DebRA.

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  1. Such a moving story, and such a lovely man. As he said himself, he certainly learnt his lessons, but he taught all of us many more. Show those angels how its done Johnny
    Posted by Kellsibob on 25/11/2009 21:44:16
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  2. wow what an amazing man he was! sometimes i moan about my life but after seeing this i have to consider myself lucky Jonny was great and i wish i can see life as he did!
    Posted by sasha on 04/10/2009 18:10:29
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  3. What an amazing inspirational man! Rest in Peace Jonny
    Posted by HS on 11/08/2009 00:55:36
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  4. that is amazing im going to search it right now on you tube when did this show come out anyways? i have heard of it at all until it accidently came i up on yahoo. I feel sorry for him but im pretty sure he would'nt wan me to be.
    Posted by taytay5555 on 01/06/2009 00:04:34
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