I wouldn't normally bring this subject up but I think it needs to be discussed out in the open. Body Odour.

How on earth is it possible to talk about body odour and not get embarrassed? Well, the answer lies in being the first one to admit that you stink.

I don't know why I I mean a friend of mine stinks but after a couple of weeks of research he has figured it out.

The smell kind of crept up on him and at first it was a matter of blaming someone else. But then when the smell was still there when he was alone he kind of got worried.

I...or should I say he, didn't used to stink but recently he says he has become so repugnant the smell keeps him awake at night.

The reason this friend of mine stinks is not because he does not take a bath or is eating the wrong foods but due to the belief that the shower gel and soap manufacturers are ripping him off.

This is a conspiracy of mammoth proportions I was told.

Most conspiracies are so far out there that they become unbelievable as soon as you hear the first sentence.

But this one it seems is a one of those true' conspiracy theories.

I didn't think they would go such lengths to increase their sales but unfortunately those shower gel and soap people do and we, the paying public, can't do anything about it.

It was explained to me so graphically that now I, too, believe this to be the case.

The more shower gel you use, the more you stink. Thus making you go and buy some more shower gel.

By the time you figure out something is wrong, the smell has got a hold of you like some TV reality show and it just won't let go.

When you switch shower gels or soaps the new mixture now makes you stink even more. It is a never-ending cycle.

Normally the stink doesn't set in for a couple of hours but when it does, it is there to stay.

And it doesn't stop there, the shampoo people are at it too. Anti-dandruff there's no such thing! This good friend of mine then resorted to using all manner of mixtures including washing powder and Toilet Duck to get rid of the smell but it just wouldn't go away.

Finally, it was his mother who told him the secret to getting rid of the stink. He needed to change his clothes more often. Simple but effective, I suppose.