Well-known for self-experimentation, the science journalist Dr Michael Mosley infected himself with tapeworms - one of the most unpleasant parasites known to man.

The results of his experiment will be broadcast during a new programme called Infested! Living With Parasites which will air on BBC4 next month, Daily Mail reports.

The documentary follows Dr Mosley as he lives with the parasites in his guts for six weeks.

Historically tapeworms were thought to be a weight-loss aid, with Victorian women swallowing the parasites' eggs in their quest to lose weight.

But Dr Mosley found he actually gained weight, adding 2lbs.

Dr Mosley said his weight gain could have been caused by the need to increase his food intake as a result of the parasites living in his guts.

'I was keeping a food diary to see if my food preferences changed,' he said.

Humans can catch tapeworms by touching contaminated faeces and then putting their hands near their mouth, swallowing contaminated food or water or by eating raw contaminated pork, beef or fish.

Symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, malnutrition and changes in appetite.

'I think I probably ate a bit more chocolate. Tapeworms like beer and chocolate - they like carbohydrates.'

Dr Mosley swallowed three cysts of beef tapeworm. Six weeks later, Dr Mosley swallowed a camera, to allow him to see whether the cysts had transformed into tapeworms. Тhe camera revealed that Dr Mosley had three parasites growing in his gut.