According to reports, a TV company are looking for terminally ill patients who will agree to have their body embalmed for a Channel 4 programme examining the practices of ancient Egyptian burial. The idea was apparently exposed when an undercover journalist pretending to be an interested party spoke to Richard Belfield, an executive producer from Fulcrum TV. He was quoted as saying that the body might be exhibited in a museum, to help people to understand the mummification process. Channel 4 has confirmed its proposed involvement in the programme, saying: "If the scientists are able to find a donor, we would be willing to follow the process".

Channel 4 never ones to shy away from this kind of thing of course; they broadcast the first public autopsy back in 2002, if you remember. The Egypt production is in the very early stages, however, and it's not certain that the programme will go ahead.