Operation Transformation is such a hugely popular show that it was only a matter of time before a group of brave and inspirational Irish celebrities got in on the action. TV3 presenter Elaine Crowley, RTÉ Radio 1 reporter Brenda Donohue, solicitor Gerald Keane and comedians Karl Spain and Katherine Lynch have all signed up. They began their Operation Transformation plan ahead of the three-programme series on RTÉ One.
How to Choose Your Celebrity Operation Transformation Leader:
The first thing is to find the celebrity that you most relate to and read on to find out more about each of the leaders. Then all you have to do, is click through to follow their individual plan.
- Brenda Donohue – RTÉ Radio 1 Reporter
Starting Weight: 13st 3.5lbs // Target weight loss this fortnight: 4lbs
Reason for signing up, as she told Kathryn Thomas in for Ray D'Arcy on RTÉ Radio 1: "I’m actually annoyed at myself. About a year and a half ago I got down, I had a healthy BMI,"I was a decent weight, I worked really hard to get to that stage, and between Christmas and holidays all the bad habits crept back in and now I’m back where I started and I’m sick of it."
- Elaine Crowley – TV Presenter & Producer of Midday on TV3
Starting Weight: 15st 11lbs // Target weight loss this fortnight: 5lbs
In a front cover interview with the RTÉ Guide, Elaine said her reason for signing up is: "I have battled with body image demons my whole life. For once, that is not what this is about. If I thought I was fat and horrible, I wouldn’t be doing this, because psychologically, I wouldn’t be able to. What I really need is support in getting a bit of healthy routine into my life. I want to be able to do exercise and enjoy it consistently”.
She also told Ray D'Arcy in an interview with Karl Spain and Gerald Keane recently: "The lyrca is grand. Am I going to get in a swimming togs in front of everyone else? Absolutely not, you have to know your own boundaries."
Click here to read Elaine's full interview with The RTÉ Guide
- Katherine Lynch – Comedian
Starting Weight: 13st 5lbs // Target weight loss this fortnight: 4lbs
Reason for signing up, as she told Kathryn: "I never thought I had much of a problem. I’m a very happy person, very happy with my weight, but a little bit of cholesterol has crept up, and I’d like to get rid of that."
Follow Katherine's plan here
- Gerald Keane - Solicitor
Starting Weight: 19st 7lbs // Target weight loss this fortnight: 5lbs
Gerald enjoys outing out on average 22 times a week! His meal typically involves a dozen oysters, medium rare steak and a big glass of his favourite tipple. However he is close to 60 and his health is a big concern. This is the heaviest he’s ever been and, the simple act of getting up off a chair is starting to bother him. He is away in the States this week as his daughter is starting college but they have healthy food and plenty of exercise opportunities there too!
Want to follow Gerald? Click here
- Karl Spain – Comedian
Starting Weight: 19st 4.5lbs // Target weight loss this fortnight: 6lbs
Reason for signing up: "My New Year’s resolution was to lose weight, to get healthier and I've kind of put it off... well it was my New Year’s resolution in 1994! So this is me finally catching up with myself! I have dieted loads over the years. Thirteen years ago I was going to the gym five times a week.
"I was three or four stone lighter than I am now and I was loving it but then I took a break for a couple of weeks and those weeks ended up being a couple of years. My weight used to fluctuate and now it’s just gone up and up. I’ve kept all my clothes from when I was skinny and I’ve a pair of white jeans I’m determined to get back into!"
*The five leaders’ starting weights were revealed on the Ray D’Arcy Show (hosted by Kathryn Thomas) on Monday August 22.
Watch the Celebrity Operation Transformation guests on Saturday Night with Miriam
