Is loneliness as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes per day? That’s the claim circulating on social media.

We trace this stat back to its source and speak the scientist behind the original research on which it is based, Professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad.

Presenter / series producer: Tom Colls

Reporter: Perisha Kudhail Production co-ordinator: Brenda BrownSound Mix: Graham PuddifootEditor: Richard Vadon