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Professor by Day, Porn Star by Night: The Shocking Double Life of Manchester’s “Old Nick”
Nicholas Goddard, an esteemed professor of chemical engineering at the University of Manchester, dedicated nearly 25 years to teaching and research at the institution. An Oxford graduate with multiple advanced degrees, he was widely regarded as a serious, dedicated academic whose work helped establish Manchester as a prominent center for studies in analytical chemistry and related fields. Colleagues and students alike viewed him as the epitome of scholarly professionalism—until his remarkable double life came to light in early 2016.For over a decade, the then-61-year-old divorced father of three had been secretly performing in numerous adult films under the stage name “Old Nick.” He appeared in dozens of explicit videos, many featuring younger co-stars (often from Eastern Europe), and some of his scenes reportedly accumulated millions of views on major adult platforms. Goddard later explained that he entered the industry partly to relieve stress following his divorce and to supplement his income, though he emphasized that the pay was modest—barely covering travel expenses in many cases. He was known in his films for distinctive traits, such as wearing only a gold watch during scenes.
The secret unraveled when one of his own students, while watching adult content as part of his evening routine, immediately recognized Goddard’s voice—and then his face—in a scene set in a garden. The discovery quickly spread across campus and beyond, with details reaching tabloids like The Sun, which published exposés dubbing him the “smutty professor.” The revelation sparked widespread shock among students, staff, and even his ex-wife, who expressed horror at the news.Faced with intense scrutiny and an ongoing university investigation into his conduct, Goddard chose to resign effective April 1, 2016. He cited the growing difficulty of balancing his academic responsibilities with his alter ego, noting that the adult industry “did not pay that well” and that maintaining the dual roles had become unsustainable. In statements to the media, he defended his private choices but acknowledged the impact on his career.
Following his departure, his colleagues stepped in to cover his teaching duties, while the academic community grappled with the surprising reality: one of its most buttoned-up, respected figures had simultaneously been one of the most-viewed performers in a very different online arena. The story highlighted debates about privacy, professional boundaries, and the separation between personal lives and public roles in academia.
