It's Time to Test! Famous faces endorse National HIV Testing Week, which begins today

Famous faces have endorsed National HIV Testing Week, which begins today, 9 February. The stars, including Charlene White from Loose Women, TV doctor Dr Ranj, and I Kissed a Boy’s Adam Williams, are encouraging the public to order a free HIV home test kit and know their HIV status.

The push comes as new polling data has revealed only 20% of adults in England say they have ever tested for HIV. One in five women (21%) said they had not tested because they had never been offered a test, while nearly three in ten men (29%) said that they had not tested because, although they had had condomless sex, they did not think their partners could have HIV.

HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust says people thinking that HIV cannot affect them or their partners is a major barrier to people getting an HIV test and can lead to a much later diagnosis, when the virus has already had a chance to impact a person’s immune system.

There are an estimated 4,700 people living with undiagnosed HIV in the England, and in 2024, 50% of new diagnoses were amongst heterosexuals and 29% amongst gay, bi and other men who have sex with men.

The free self-tests available can give a result in just 15 minutes.The government is aiming to end new HIV transmissions in England by 2030, and published a new HIV Action Plan in December, backed by over £170 million in new funding. Increasing HIV testing is one of the five key priorities in the new Plan. If negative, people can take steps to stay negative.

If reactive, people living with HIV can access life-saving treatment which means you can experience a full, healthy life and can’t pass the virus on to sexual partners or a newborn baby.

Charlene White, broadcaster, journalist and Loose Women panellist, said: "Five years ago, I took an HIV test live on ITV because I wanted to show it's easy, quick and something everyone should consider. Today, we have too many people who do not know they need to get a test and are getting diagnosed far later than they could.

"This National HIV Testing Week, I want to encourage people to get a test, especially if you have never tested or last tested a long time ago.  Incredible medication and support are available for anyone who tests positive. Most people will test negative, but either way it’s always better to know. Ordering a test is such a simple step you can take to look after yourself and your health."

Dr Ranj, TV doctor and Strictly Come Dancing star, said: “We need to make sure that everyone who needs a test, gets one. From a medical perspective, the progress around HIV has been truly incredible. Treatment is extremely effective, meaning people can live long and healthy lives, and cannot pass on HIV.

"Now the biggest challenge is people not realising they might need a test.  HIV can affect anyone. This week is a great chance for us all to take charge of our sexual health and anyone in England can order free HIV test.”

Adam Williams, HIV-advocate and star of BBC Three’s I Kissed a Boy, said: “Testing for HIV really is self-care. If it's a negative result, you can take steps to stay negative. If, like me, it’s positive, you get access to treatment that lets you live a very long, healthy and meaningful life. I take one pill a day and HIV doesn’t hold me back.

“I was diagnosed because of an HIV test I took at home. Afterwards, I did a lot of looking-inward and self-discovery - connecting with other people living with HIV through HIV charities was such an important part of that. I went on I Kissed A Boy to show the world that life for people living with HIV can be very normal: I still go on dates, have sex and do everything I was doing before. The only difference is my one pill a day, which means I can't pass it on during sex."

Wes Streeting MP, Health and Social Care Secretary, said: "Thanks to incredible advances in treatment, people with HIV today can live full, healthy lives - and can't pass the virus on. We've come so far. But there are still thousands of people in the UK who don't know they're living with HIV. That's why testing matters. It's quick, free and convenient.

"This government is determined to end new HIV transmissions by 2030. Our new HIV Action Plan, backed by £170 million, sets out how we'll get there - by tackling stigma, improving access to testing and prevention, and reaching every community that needs support. It’s never been easier to get an HIV test and get a result quickly. I'd encourage everyone to test, so you can know your status and keep healthy."

Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “This is the one time of the year when anyone in England can order a free HIV test kit directly to their home. As this new polling shows, it can be easy to put off testing for HIV, or to assume it’s not for you. HIV can affect anyone – it’s always best to know your status. England could become the first country in the world to end new HIV cases – but to get there we need to get a test when they need one. That’s why National HIV Testing Week is a gamechanger – order a test now.”