HE'S dark, handsome, played Premier League Football and is called Jason - but any similarity to his namesake in the cult television series Footballers' Wives ends there.

For unlike the fictional Jason Turner, former Chelsea, Spurs and Ipswich star Jason Cundy is a family man who gives up his time to talk to young men about testicular cancer.

Earlier this month he was at AFC Bournemouth to promote a new schools video called Know your balls... check 'em out. Featuring a host of sports stars, Chris Evans, Phill Jupitus and Jonathan Ross, the Orchid Cancer Appeal video is designed to amuse and educate teenagers.

Testicular cancer is the most common form of the disease among the 15-40 age group, with incidence doubling in the last 25 years. But the signs can be picked up early and treatment is very effective.

At the moment only three per cent of men check their testicles regularly, missing the symptoms and worsening their chances of surviving the disease.

Jason, 33, was captain at Ipswich six years ago when he was diagnosed. "I was sitting at home watching TV on a Thursday night when I felt something. One ball was large and heavy and very different from what it was 24 hours earlier. It doubled in size in another 24 hours," he recalled.

"I was in a fortunate position. As a footballer you can go and see doctors and physiotherapists quite easily.

"On Friday I went to work and asked the physio to have a look. On the Saturday I saw a doctor and played a game. On Monday morning I had a scan and Tuesday I had the operation."

Jason and his wife already had one little boy. They knew they wanted more children and arranged to have some sperm frozen. But despite undergoing chemotherapy after his surgery, Jason went on to father his second son naturally.

Since his ordeal, Jason has spoken openly to schools and football clubs about his cancer and the importance of self-examination. At Bournemouth, he met teenagers from Portchester School who were shown the 20-minute video.

"I was very fortunate," he said. "It is impossible not to be affected in some way after having cancer. Everything seems to mean a bit more to me.

"There is so much good that has come out of my cancer - I know of one man who, after hearing about me, checked his testicles and discovered a lump. Although cancer was confirmed, he was able to get it treated in time."

Last August, doctors found abnormal cells in Jason's remaining testicle. He immediately started a two-week course of daily radiotherapy, which appears to have killed off the pre-cancerous cells but has made him sterile.

Jason's playing career ended with a knee injury at 29. He is now back at his beloved Chelsea, coaching under-12s. But it was an avid Arsenal supporter, Colin Osborne, who got him involved with the Orchid Cancer Appeal.

Colin, from Essex, founded the charity seven years ago with the doctor he credits with saving his life, Professor Tim Oliver at Bart's Hospital.

"I was ignorant of the disease. I knew men could get testicular cancer but I knew nothing about self-examination. I was just leaning over a desk at work and it felt quite painful," he recalled.

"I mentioned it to my wife, who works as a radiographer, and she said 'go to the doctor straight away'." The lump in Colin's testicle was only the size of a pea, but the cancer had spread to his abdomen and lungs.

At one stage, doctors gave him two months to live, but they tried an experimental drug, Taxol, originally used for ovarian cancer. "I was the first in the UK. After one treatment, it virtually went," he said.

Colin has since raised more than £7 million towards education and research into testicular, prostate and penile cancer. His message is that men should get into the habit of checking their testicles once a month after a hot bath or shower, so they will know if there are any changes.

"The important thing is that if you have a problem, the earlier you get it checked, the better," he said. "We don't want to scare people. It's a rare disease and seven out of 10 lumps are nothing to worry about."

On April 6, former Bournemouth player Brian O'Donnell is due to set off on the Marathon des Sables 2003, a 235k six-day run across the Sahara, to raise money for the Orchid Appeal.

The temperature will be around 40C and he will have to carry a 30lb backpack. "I've trained the best I can, but I'm 45 years old with two dodgy knees and dodgy ankles. To get to the finish will be an achievement in itself," he said.

He still has space on his kit for company logos and anyone wanting to sponsor him can ring 07860 529386. Donations can also be made to the Orchid Cancer Appeal, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London EC1A 7BE.

The video is available free to schools by ringing 020 7601 7808 or 020 7403 5572.