Gaining sex symbol status and a cult following, Sutton was dubbed Dr Brett McHunk, Chief Swoon Officer and CHOttie

Tatted-up Brett Sutton was the thinking woman’s crumpet - smart, sexy and a practising Buddhist. Farewell Victoria’s Chief Swoon Officer, the CSIRO’s gain is the Suttonettes’ loss.

Farewell Victoria’s CHOttie, Prof Brett Sutton. Picture: Daniel Pockett

The resignation of Victoria’s Thinking Woman’s Crumpet on Friday will have his loyal female fan base swooning into their Professor Brett Sutton coffee mugs, masks and shower curtains. Gaining shock sex symbol status and a cult following during his daily pandemic pressers, Sutton was given affectionate nicknames such as Dr Brett McHunk, Chief Swoon Officer and (personal favourite) CHOttie by fans who dubbed themselves the Suttonettes.

When he famously removed his shirt to lead the way in being jabbed with Covid vaccines - revealing hot tattoos - the ladies swooned again.

A young Brett Sutton. Picture: Supplied

Face masks weren’t the only Prof Sutton merch to be released.

The practising Buddhist’s “calm, respectful, manner” amid the Covid chaos made ladies weak at the knees - but there was a definite spike in numbers after a 22-year-old gap year pic of the good doc was unearthed, revealing long hair and a sexy smile.

The reassuring Dr Sutton also has a unique perspective on life.

There is no television in the family house, nestled in leafy Ferny Creek in the Dandenongs where he lives with his three children and partner who is also in the health sector.

He learnt the traditions of vipassana meditation while on a 10-day silent retreat in NSW’s Blue Mountains.

Prof Sutton has travelled to India, Nepal and Tibet studying Buddhism and has written several articles on the parallels of Buddhism and the emergency department.

“The cynicism in emergency departments and in their staff is legendary,” he said.

Brett Sutton takes his shirt off to receive his flu vaccination. Picture: Supplied

Sutton revealed not just impressive tatts, but a toned physique. Picture: Supplied

“There is a difficult truth in the cynical jokes that we are uncomfortable with it. It is too close to us. Spike Milligan’s famous epitaph, ‘I told you I was sick’, holds an uneasy truth in its comic straightforwardness.

“We see the potential for the same suffering in ourselves, or our loved ones, and we distance ourselves from it.”

So long CHOttie - you served us well.