Celebrity Fit Club
Celebrities compete to lose weight for charity.
Celebrity Fit Club is a reality television series in which overweight celebrities attempt to lose weight for charity. Participants are divided into two teams, given physical challenges, and weighed weekly under the supervision of a nutritionist, a psychologist, and a physical trainer, the latter being former U.S. Marine Harvey Walden IV. The show originated in the United Kingdom on ITV in 2002 as Fat Club with members of the general public, then switched to celebrity participants and continued until 2006, with Dale Winton hosting from series two.
Quick Facts
- Presenter
- Dale Winton (2004–2006)
- Narrator
- Jenny Eclair (2002); Veronika Hyks (2004–2006)
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Series
- 4
- Episodes
- 37
- Runtime
- 30 minutes (inc. adverts: 2002); 60 minutes (inc. adverts: 2004–2006)
- Company
- LWT (2002–2004)
- Granada (2005)
- ITV Productions (2006)
Facts from the source article.
Series one – 2002
The first series aired in 2002 and featured eight celebrities: Jonathan "Jono" Coleman, Nicola Duffett, Ian McCaskill, Coleen Nolan, Kay Purcell, Rik Waller, Tommy Walsh, and Ann Widdecombe. Rik Waller was the first celebrity to leave the show. This was the only series in which celebrities did not compete in teams and the episodes were not filmed around the weigh-in; instead the weigh-in occurred near the end. There was no host, though comedian Jenny Eclair provided a voiceover, and nutritionists Dr Adam Carey and Matt Lovell gave filmed advice throughout.
Series three – 2005
The third series began on 4 January 2005, with former contestant Ann Widdecombe serving on the judging panel. Two teams competed: Aldo's Team (originally Julie's Team from weigh-in 1 to 6) and Paul's Team. Aldo's Team lost 13.2% of their starting weight (7 stone total) and consisted of team captain Aldo Zilli (lost 2 stone), Julie Goodyear (original captain who quit at weigh-in 6, lost 1 stone), Ken Morley (lost 1 stone), and Lizzy Bardsley (lost 1 stone). Paul's Team lost 12.3% of their starting weight (9 stone total) and consisted of team captain Paul Ross (lost 2 stone), Andy Fordham (lost 3 stone), Kym Mazelle (lost 1 stone), and Tina Baker (lost 2 stone, named Miss Fit Club 2005). Julie Goodyear stepped down as captain and Aldo Zilli took over. Andy Fordham, weighing 30 stone at the start and suffering from long-term health issues, initially struggled to walk more than a hundred metres but with drill instructor Harvey's help eventually ran short distances. Aldo's team won the series by a 0.4% greater weight loss than Paul's team.
Series four – 2006
The fourth British series began on 10 January 2006. Former contestants joined the judging panel each week, including Amy Lamé, Aldo Zilli, Jonathan "Jono" Coleman, Paul Ross, Alison Hammond, James Whitaker, Lowri Turner, Ann Widdecombe, and Kym Mazelle. The final episode was a 90-minute mini-Olympic event in Sheffield where Channel 4's The Games takes place, with past celebrities joining the two teams. Jeff's Team (originally Anne's Team for the first four weigh-ins) lost 18% of their starting weight (12 stone total without Anne's weight) and consisted of team captain Jeff Rudom (lost 6 stone), Mikyla Dodd (lost 3 stone), Russell Grant (lost 3 stone), and Anne Diamond (original captain demoted for walking off, lost 1 stone, left before the seventh episode). Carole's Team, the winners, lost 19% of their starting weight (12 stone total) and consisted of team captain Carole Malone (lost 3 stone), Bobby George (lost 2 stone), Sharon Marshall (lost 1 stone), and Mick Quinn (lost 4 stone, Mr Fit Club 2006). The panel included Harvey Walden and nutritionist Dr Adam Carey, joined each week by past Fit Club participants. Starting weights and conditions: Anne Diamond at 14 stone was 4 stone overweight with high blood pressure and a history of yo-yo dieting; Carole Malone at 15 stone was 2 lb off medically morbidly obese; Mikyla Dodd at 19 stone was medically morbidly obese with a goal of 12 stone; Bobby George at 16 stone admitted to having two fridges in his bedroom for nightly chocolate raids; Russell Grant at 21 stone was severely morbidly obese and snacked constantly from 10:30am to 9pm; Sharon Marshall at 13 stone admitted to a booze problem and a party lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Celebrity Fit Club are there?
Celebrity Fit Club has 37 episodes across 4 seasons.
When did Celebrity Fit Club first air?
Celebrity Fit Club first aired on 27 September 2002.
When did Celebrity Fit Club end?
Celebrity Fit Club last aired on 11 April 2006.
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